Sheriff of Mumbai

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The Sheriff of Mumbai is an apolitical titular position of authority bestowed for one year on a prominent citizen of Mumbai (Bombay). The Sheriff is an officer of the High Court and the nominal Head of the High Court Depart which carries out the orders of the High Court for summoning people, and also for attachment and sealing of properties and if ordered for their auction. The Sheriff has an office and staff but does not have executive powers of his own.His office is in the High Court Building on the Ground Floor. In the order of precedence, the Sheriff ranks just below the Mayor. Mumbai and Kolkata (Calcutta) are the only cities in India to maintain this post. The most important social function of the Sheriff is to receive foreign dignitaries at the airport on behalf of the city and to call condolence meetings on the demise of prominent citizens of the city. The first Sheriff of Mumbai after independence was Mr. Mahadeo Laxman Dahanukar a city bunessman during the year 1948. A prominent road is named after him. His son, Mr. Shantaram Mahadeo Dahanukar was also a Sheriff of Mumbai in the year 1969.

The Sheriff presides over various city-related functions and conferences and is in charge of receiving foreign guests of the government. The post gives the incumbent close access to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra and the Municipal Commissioner of the city. It is often criticised by citizens as a waste of public money. As the post is apolitical, many prominent citizens use it as a platform to showcase their achievements and serve the citizens of the metropolis.

Dr. (Mrs.) Indu Shahani has been announced as the new Sheriff of Mumbai starting 5th January 2008 onwards. Dr. Shahani is the Principal of H. R. College of Commerce and Economics, Mumbai.