Hi Ravi!

I remember from my youth being told that 'only the lower classes' (they didn't mince words in my youth) use 'have got'.

Funnily enough, I recall being told the same thing by more than one English teacher.

For whatever reason, "have got" sounds common to me. But if it's good enough for William Shakespeare, I suppose I should not complain. Still...

I dusted off my Harper's English Grammar and read the following:

"Got means have or possess or obtain or secure. Use it sparingly if at all after have. Some authorities justify have got for the sake of emphasis, as I have got my man. Do not use got for is or was; I got hit for I was hit is substandard."