Team Blitz India
NEW DELHI: A distinguished constitutional lawyer and fierce votary of civil liberties and secularism Fali S Nariman passed away at the age of 95, in New Delhi on February 21.
Nariman was an important public voice whose critical opinions about judicial developments carried much weight. He had argued several landmark cases, including the famous NJAC case. 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, Nariman quit his post as the Additional Solicitor General of India to protest against the decision of the then-Indira Gandhi Government to declare national Emergency.
His autobiography ‘Before Memory Fades’ is a widely read book, especially among law students and young lawyers. ‘The State of Nation’ and ‘God Save the Hon’ble Supreme Court’ are two of his other books.
Narendra Modi
Expressing grief over his demise, President Droupadi Murmu said he was a titan among legal luminaries. She said the contributions of Fali Nariman in enriching constitutional practices and strengthening the legal system will be remembered for a long.
In a social media post, PM Modi said that Fali Nariman was among the most outstanding legal minds and intellectuals. He devoted his life to making justice accessible to common citizens, the PM added. In his condolence message, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that “not only the legal fraternity, but the nation has lost a towering figure of intellect and wisdom”.
Nariman was born to a Parsi family in Myanmar on January 10, 1929. He started his law practice at the Bombay High Court. When he was 38 years, he declined an invitation to be a judge of the high court. He was awarded Padma Bhushan in 1991 and Padma Vibhushan in 2007.
