Delivery Boy To Civil Judge – A Story That Inspires

The life trail of Advocate Yaseen Shan Muhammed who came second in the Kerala Judicial Services Examinations 2024 and qualified to be a Civil Judge is truly inspirational. The key to his success, according to Yaseen, is sheer determination and hard work. Turning the pages of Yaseen's book of life would give hope to many who feel that their future is bleak, dumped and depressed. LiveLaw interacted with Yaseen and we are proud to share his story for our readers.

Yaseen hails from Palakkad district of Kerala. His mother was a school dropout at 6th standard and got married at the age of 14 and divorced at 19. She gave birth to Yaseen, her first child, when she was barely 15. He never had any contact with his father. The single mother had to look after her two children and their grandmother. She worked for daily wages and continues to be an Asha worker.

It was through a State Government housing scheme for the poor, the family got a roof over head. Yaseen always wore used clothes and had no money to buy books. Forced by economic necessity, from an early age Yaseen started working as a newspaper and milk delivery boy and supported his family alongside with his schooling. There were times when he worked at construction sites as a labourer.

Yaseen recalls that he was a below-average student during his school days as he did not have sufficient time to focus on studies and there was none to guide him. After his twelfth standard, he completed Diploma Course in electronics from polytechnic college. He says that the diplomas being skill-based courses, have him more opportunity to find a job. He took up a small job in Gujarat for a year and returned to Kerala and graduated in Public Administration, before he turned to pursue his legal education. He secured 46th rank in the state law entrance examination and got admission in the prestigious Government Law College, Ernakulam. During his graduation he had engaged tuitions for school kids and while pursuing LL.B. he worked as a as a delivery boy for Zomato, till covid pandemic arose.

After enrolling as an advocate in March 2023 he began his career as a junior lawyer to Advocate Shahul Hameed PT at Pattambi Munsiff - Magistrate Court. Interestingly two other lawyers from the same office, Adv Shahina N V and Adv Reshma N R had also cleared the Kerala Judicial Service Examinations and they encouraged him to prepare for the examination. Yaseen fondly remembers that having a senior like Adv. Shahul Hameed helped him immensely as he got proper guidance and opportunity amidst daily court work. Securing second rank in the Kerala Judicial Service examination was something that he had never expected. His goal was to clear the examinations and secure a job. This was his second attempt and he had secured 58th rank in the first attempt and could not clear the mains examinations.

Since the income as a junior lawyer was not enough to meet the expenses, he started giving tuitions to law students, helping them prepare for judicial service examinations, which in turn helped his own preparations as well. Yaseen expressed his deep gratitude to a close friend who supported him financially during his struggling time. “I tried for a personal loan which I did not get during Covid-19 and with exams approaching, I wasn't able to work either. Looking back, I realize that many people like my close friend, Anjitha helped me navigate through difficult times during my LL.B. journey. Their support played a crucial role in helping me get through those challenges”, Yasin mentioned.

His method of study was to focus on the basics like reading and understanding Bare Acts and case laws. He referred to KHC, Live Law for his preparation and research. He mentions that he does not believe in offering motivational tips to others, but firmly believes that hard work eventually pays off. Yaseen says, “Read judgments. Have subject knowledge. I don't think there is a shortcut. Rather than reading more and more things, try to understand what you have read. For me, Mains exam was the most difficult part. Since prelims was based on MCQs, I was confident of qualifying it. My weak point was English language. For Mains, Paper I is English. Since I studied in a Malayalam-medium school, it was difficult for me. Another difficulty was writing for a total of 12 hours in 2 consecutive days. There is a five-member panel for the interview and one cannot answer all the questions in the interview by adopting any shortcut methods of study. So read more in depth, practice as an advocate and try to understand things in the practical context. Apart from that, I don't think there is a shortcut.”

According to Yaseen, it is mostly the circumstances that determine the growth of a person. He says - “Maybe some privilege helped me to enter the Judicial Services and overcome my situation. Being a male in this male-dominated society is an obvious advantage. If I were a girl born into similar circumstances, maybe the society would not have afforded me the same privilege to overcome these difficulties. Maybe I have won, but majority of the people with the same circumstances have failed despite attempts. It is not their fault but because the society is unequal. The majority have to give up on their dreams or are unable to study because of this inequality. I understand that I am one among the few who came up. I wish to represent the people coming from similar circumstances.”

Yaseen's ambition now is to study for post-graduation in law, if time permits. Though Yaseen is only 29 years old, he has a life story of hardships and hard work to tell the world. His life lessons have taught him empathy and resilience. He intends to bring these qualities into his role in the judiciary.

“I want to work by being part of the system. I will do my job honestly, sincerely, and as per my conscience.” He sees the role of a Judge as an opportunity to help people and to do justice.