1905 – 1975

Ullal Hammabba, who got the distinction of being the first judge of the community was the son of Mangalore Tehsildar U. Mammali. He was born in 1905 in Ullal town and raised in Mangalore. Despite the challenging times, he pursued his education diligently. He attended Mission School and Aloysius College in Mangalore before obtaining his law degree from Madras Law College in Tamil Nadu. Following this, he furthered his studies with a post-graduate degree (MA, LLB) and underwent training in Mangalore for two years.

Hammabba’s aspirations were influenced by his father’s encounters with the British, who wore coats. Mammali, being a Tahsildar during the British era, wished for his son to excel as a lawyer or judge and wear coats.

After practicing law in Mangalore for a period, Hammabba passed the examination for the position of judge. His judicial career saw him serve as a Munsiff in Karkala and Kundapur, as well as a Sub Judge in Talasheri and Mangalore during the Madras Government era. He later held positions as a Civil Judge in Madurai and Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu in 1956, and as a District Judge in Thanjavur, Salem, Madurai, and Cuddalore.

Even though he was born in Ullal and raised in Mangalore, Hammabba spent much of his service in Tamil Nadu, where he became fluent in Tamil. Despite his proficiency in Kannada and English, he preferred to converse in the Beary language at home. Hammabba was known for his soft-spoken demeanor, but he didn’t shy away from making tough decisions in crucial cases. While he delivered verdicts in many significant cases, he always upheld the integrity of the judiciary. Deeply rooted in his faith, Islam played a central role in his life, with the recitation of the Quran being a daily practice. The government also appointed him as the President of Muthupet and Naguru Dargahs in Tamil Nadu.

Judge Hammabba married Salmabi, the daughter of Mangalore’s C Ahmad Haji, and together they had four daughters and two sons. One of his sons, Muhammad Ali, followed in his footsteps and became a lawyer. Hammabba retired in 1970 at the age of 65.

Although born in Ullal, Hammabba was affectionately known as ‘Judge Hammabba’ in the local community. After retirement, he built a house in Kotekar Beeri, where he resided until his passing. Even today, his residence is referred to as “Judge Cottage.” Hammabba was also involved in community service and served as the President of Juma Masjid in Kotekar for some time. He passed away on April 20, 1975, at the age of 70, leaving behind a legacy as ‘Judge Hammabba’ in the hearts of many.