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Political leaders and legal luminaries unite to condole the death of legal doyen Fali S Nariman

Legal doyen and veteran advocate Fali S Nariman died in New Delhi on Wednesday, 21 February, at the age of 95.

South First Desk

Published Feb 21, 2024 | 12:01 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 21, 2024 | 12:01 PM

Fali S Nariman. (X)

Fali S Nariman. (X)

The Congress, on Wednesday, 21 February, condoled legal doyen Fali S Nariman’s death, with Rahul Gandhi saying his contributions have not only shaped landmark cases but also inspired generations of jurists to uphold the sanctity of the Constitution and civil liberties.

Veteran advocate Nariman died in Delhi on Wednesday at the age of 95. He was suffering from multiple ailments, including cardiac issues.

Politicians condole his death

In a post on X, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the death of an eminent jurist, senior advocate and a fierce votary of constitutional civil liberties, Fali S Nariman, is a huge loss to the legal system.

“A Padma Vibhushan recipient, his unwavering commitment to his principles remained steadfast and admirable. My deepest condolences to his family, friends and compatriots. May his soul rest in peace,” Kharge said.

Rahul Gandhi condoled the veteran lawyer’s demise and said it leaves a profound void in the legal community.

“His contributions have not only shaped landmark cases, but have also inspired generations of jurists to uphold the sanctity of our Constitution and civil liberties,” the former Congress chief said.

“May his commitment to justice and fairness continues to guide us, even in his absence,” Gandhi said.

Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said that Nariman was an outstanding lawyer and a courageous personality.

“He was a superb parliamentarian. He informed and educated whenever he spoke and wrote. He was a wonderful human being who was zestful till the very end. He was Fali Nariman, and he was one of my favourite persons,” Ramesh said.

“His autobiography is a delightful read. It begins with a humorous exchange between the two of us,” the Congress leader said.

Nariman belonged to a species that is already endangered, Ramesh added.

Former Union finance minister, Congress leader, and lawyer P Chidambaram wrote on X, “He was more than a lawyer practising in Courts: he was a jurist, author, chronicler of our times and a moral force in turbulent times. I salute his memory and offer my heartfelt condolences to Justice (Retd) R F Nariman and other members of his family.”

Paying tribute to the legal doyen, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said on X, “Seven decades of his experience at the Bar, out of which more than five decades in the Supreme Court of India, is historic and remarkable. He is instrumental for many landmark judgments, and his contributions to jurisprudence will be remembered for generations to come.”

AAP convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal joined numerous political leaders on X in condoling Nariman’s death. “His wisdom was one of the building blocks of our nation’s legal system. His demise is a huge loss, but his legacy will remain immortalised in the hearts and minds of all Indians. His works will continue to inspire us,” he wrote.

Taking to X, JP Nadda condoled the death the passing of Nariman. “His tireless efforts to ensure justice for all will be remembered fondly,” he wrote.

Recalling her experience of meeting Nariman, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on X, “Wise, witty, a walking institution himself, Fali Nariman will be greatly missed. Only a few months ago, had an opportunity to meet with him.”

Legal luminaries condole Nariman’s death

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud condoled the death of legal doyen and veteran advocate Fali Nariman, saying he was a “great giant of an intellectual”.

“Mr Attorney General, we mourn the sad demise and passing away of Fali Nariman. He was a great giant of an intellectual,” Chandrachud told Attorney General R Venkataramani as he began the day’s proceedings in the apex court.

Sharing a recent letter from the late Nariman, Prashant Bhushan, an Indian public interest lawyer in the Supreme Court, wrote on X, “This was Mr Fali Nariman’s affectionate message to me just 5 days ago. Was wanting & planning to meet him very soon. I will have a lifelong regret now. He was a pillar for our Constitution&Civil Liberties. His unexpected passing is a huge loss to the legal community & the country.”

Paying tribute to his legacy on X, lawyer Indira Jaising said, “He was the last of a generation on lawyers from Bombay who shaped and moulded the history of constitutional law in India, a voice that stood by secular values, for the Independence of the judiciary.”

Calling Nariman a “great son of India”, senior lawyer and member of the Rajya Sabha Kapil Sibal said, “A great son of India passes away. Not just one of the greatest lawyers of our country but one of the finest human beings who stood like a colossus above all . The corridors of the court will never be the same without him.”

Senior advocate at the Supreme Court of India Menaka Guruswamy took to X to condole the death of Nariman, whom she refers to as “veteran Senior Advocate, master practitioner of the craft of litigation, conscience-keeper of the bar, fearless, and witty”.

Mourning his death, she wrote on X, “The Constitution has lost of one of her greatest defenders. We at the bar have lost our leader.”

(With PTI inputs)

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