'Pillar Of Constitutional Liberties, Stood By Secular Values & Judicial Independence' : Bar Pays Tribute To Fali S Nariman

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.

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."

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.

"The Rule of Law lost its greatest warrior," wrote Senior Advocate Sanjay Hegde.

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.

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!"

Senior Advocate Menaka Guruswamy said that the the Constitution has lost of one of her greatest defenders.

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.

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.