New Delhi:
Eminent jurist and senior Supreme Court advocate Fali Nariman died today. He was 95.
Fali Nariman died at his Delhi home this morning.
The noted jurist was awarded Padma Bhushan in 1991 and Padma Vibhusham in 2007.
Fali Nariman started his practice as lawyer at the Bombay High Court and later moved to Delhi. He was appointed the Solicitor General of India in 1972, but he resigned in 1975 to protest then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s decision to declare Emergency.
The veteran advocate was also the President of the Bar Association from 1991 to 2010.
In his long career, Fali Nariman argued several landmark cases, including the National Judicial Appointments Commission case, which was struck down by the Supreme Court.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the legal doyen’s death and said he had devoted his life to “make justice accessible to common citizens.”
Shri Fali Nariman Ji was among the most outstanding legal minds and intellectuals. He devoted his life to making justice accessible to common citizens. I am pained by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family and admirers. May his soul rest in peace.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 21, 2024
Senior advocate and Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi also expressed his anguish over Fali Nariman’s death, calling it “end of an era”.
“End of an era-#falinariman passes away, a living legend who wl forever be in hearts &minds of those in law &public life. Above all his diverse achievements, he stuck to his principles unwaveringly &called a spade a spade, a quality shared by his brilliant son,” Mr Singhvi wrote on X.
End of an era—#falinariman passes away, a living legend who wl forever be in hearts &minds of those in law &public life. Above all his diverse achievements, he stuck to his principles unwaveringly &called a spade a spade, a quality shared by his brilliant son #Rohinton.
— Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) February 21, 2024
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the nation has lost a “towering figure of intellect and wisdom.” The country has lost an epitome of what righteousness stood for. The legal fraternity is intellectually poorer today,” Mr Mehta said.