Senior Supreme Court Lawyer Fali S Nariman Dies At 95 (Image: X/@talk2sharadkc)
Fali S Nariman, the renowned constitutional jurist and senior Supreme Court advocate, died at the age of 95 in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Fali S Nariman started his law practice at the Bombay High Court. In 1971, he was appointed as the Senior Advocate in the Supreme Court of India. He helmed the position of Additional Solicitor General of India from May 1972 and in June 1975 he resigned the post in opposition to the declaration of emergency by the Indira Gandhi government.
He was a fierce advocate of civil liberties. A significant public voice, his critical opinions concerning judicial developments carried much importance.
The jurist received many honours including Padma Bhushan in 1991 and Padma Vibhushan in 2007. A distinguished constitutional lawyer, Fali S Nariman was also the President of the Bar Association from 1991 to 2010.
Expressing condolence over his demise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X: “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.”
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
Public Interest Lawyer and Activist Prashant Bhushan wrote on X: “He was a pillar for our Constitution & Civil Liberties. His unexpected passing is a huge loss to the legal community & the country.”
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 pic.twitter.com/xAa08Z2Ni2
— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) February 21, 2024
Taking to X, Senior Advocate and Congress Abhishek Singhvi wrote: “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.”
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
“Before Memory Fades,” Fali S Nariman”s autobiography, is a widely read book. His son Rohinton Nariman, became the Solicitor General of India and then elevated as a judge at the Supreme Court in 2014.
