21 Feb 2024 4:52 AM GMT
Renowned lawyer and distinguished jurist Fali S. Nariman, Senior Advocate, passed away at the age of 95. His demise has been met with heartfelt tributes from numerous members of the legal fraternity, who are sharing fond memories of his remarkable life and contributions.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal called Nariman a "great son of India" who was not just the greatest lawyer of the country but also 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, Sibal said.
Fali Nariman
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.
May his soul rest in peace.
Senior Advocate Indira Jaising said that Fali S Nariman "shaped and moulded the history of constitutional law in India" and was "a voice that stood by secular values, for the Independence of the judiciary."
Fali S Nariman Senior Advovate has passed on from this world . 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. My deepest…
Senior Advocate Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that Nariman was "a living legend". "Above all his diverse achievements, he stuck to his principles unwaveringly &called a spade a spade, a quality shared by his brilliant son Rohinton", Singhvi said.
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.
"The Rule of Law lost its greatest warrior," wrote Senior Advocate Sanjay Hegde.
The Rule of Law in India has lost its greatest warrior today. Go well Fali Sir. I have learnt so much from you and above all am grateful for your kindness. You will continue to inspire generations of men and women of law. Aavjo Saheb. Maliye.... pic.twitter.com/9t9flaMiw6
Advocate Prashant Bhushan, saying that Nariman was a "pillar of our Constitution&Civil Liberties", shared in X (Twitter) a letter sent to him by Nariman after the Supreme Court's judgment in the Electoral Bonds case.
Congratulating Bhushan for the victory in the Electoral Bonds case, Nariman expressed the hope that the test of "manifest arbitrariness" used by the Supreme Court to strike down the Electoral Bonds case might enable the Supreme Court to strike down the "no-bail-for-now provision in recently enacted laws".
Senior Advocate Mahesh Jethmalani said that with the demise of Nariman - a legal doyen, accomplished Parliamentarian and the very epitome of a true gentleman in all he did- the Indian Bar has lost an inspirational and towering personality.
In the very sad demise of #FaliNariman, legal doyen, accomplished Parliamentarian and the very epitome of a true gentleman in all he did , the nation and the Indian Bar has lost an inspirational and towering personality. I shared some very special moments with him which I will…
Senior Advocate Sanjay Ghose said that the "most fitting tribute the Bar can pay him is to commit itself to the standard of integrity and independence that FSN always measured up to!"
Fali Sam Nariman, one the last of the legends of the Bar, passes away! The most fitting tribute the Bar can pay him is to commit itself to the standard of integrity and independence that FSN always measured up to!
R.I.P pic.twitter.com/XqSWOqDniC
Senior Advocate Menaka Guruswamy said that the the Constitution has lost of one of her greatest defenders.
Mr. Fali Nariman veteran Senior Advocate, master practitioner of the craft of litigation, conscience-keeper of the bar, fearless and witty has passed away. The Constitution has lost of one of her greatest defenders. We at the bar have lost our leader. #falinariman
World Bank lawyer Vikram Raghavan said that Nariman had a "maestro's talent for the law and letters". "His sparkling intellect and unmatched wit illuminated every courtroom, column, and conversation," he stated.
Fali Sam Nariman. Truly, the end of an era. He had a maestro's talent for the law and letters. His sparkling intellect and unmatched wit illuminated every courtroom, column, and conversation. A monumental legacy left by a life richly lived. I hope he's sharing a celestial chuckle… pic.twitter.com/MqJmHoSPlo
A distinguished constitutional lawyer, Fali S Nariman has argued several landmark cases, including the famous NJAC verdict. He also appeared in the important SC AoR Association case (which led to the collegium system), TMA Pai case (on the scope of minority rights under Article 30) etc. In June 1975, he resigned as the Additional Solicitor General of India to protest against the decision of the Indira Gandhi government to declare emergency.
A fierce votary of civil liberties and secularism, Nariman was an important public voice whose critical opinions about judicial developments carried much weight. Regarding the recent judgment in the Article 370 case, Nariman voiced criticism.
His son Rohinton Nariman was a judge of the Supreme Court.
His autobiography "Before Memory Fades" is a widely read book, especially among law students and young lawyers, acting as a source of inspiration for them. "The State of Nation", "God Save the Hon'ble Supreme Court" are his other books.
“I have lived and flourished in a secular India. In the fullness of time if God wills, I would also like to die in a secular India," he wrote in his autobiography.
The Government of India awarded him the Padma Bhushan (1991) and Padma Vibhushan (2007). He was a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha from 1999–2005.