Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on Wednesday for the passing of eminent jurist and senior advocate Fali S Nariman, who died early in the morning. PM Modi praised Nariman as one of the most “outstanding legal minds” and offered his sympathies to Nariman’s family.
Fali S Nariman, aged 95, passed away at his residence in New Delhi. The former Additional Solicitor General of India’s demise occurred around 1 am.
In a statement on X, the PM said, “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.”
Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, leading a bench, also paid tribute to the eminent jurist and senior advocate. The CJI mourned Nariman’s death, stating, “We mourn passing away of Mr. Fali Nariman. He was a great giant of law. It’s very sad.”
Attorney General for India R Venkataramani expressed how difficult the news was to bear. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta described Fali Nariman’s death as a loss not just to the legal fraternity but to the entire nation.
“Not only the legal fraternity but the nation has lost a towering figure of intellect and wisdom. The country has lost an epitome of what righteousness stood for. A doyen, paragon, and a legend in his own lifetime has left us, leaving the jurisprudence enriched by his immense contribution. I have always learnt something new by merely appearing even against him,” Mehta said.
Mehta also recalled his personal moments with Nariman, saying, “Sharing the homemade buttermilk brought by me from my home in the Supreme Court corridors while he regaled all of us with many past anecdotes in Gujarati is a cherished memory for me though he used to come only on few occasions since last few years. His loving gesture of sending all the books written by him to me with his autographs will always remain a proud possession for me and even for the next generations.”
“The legal fraternity is intellectually poorer today. Such intellectual giants do not die. They remain immortal through their contribution. There cannot be and will not be another Fali Nariman,” Mehta added.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman expressed her sadness at the news, calling Fali Nariman wise, witty, and an institution himself.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin also offered his condolences, describing Nariman as an eminent constitutional jurist and former Additional Solicitor General of India.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi paid tribute to Nariman’s legacy, highlighting his contributions to landmark cases and his inspiration to generations of jurists.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi referred to Nariman’s passing as “an end of an era” in a post on X.
Senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal also expressed his grief on X, saying, “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.”
Fali Nariman’s contributions to several landmark cases, including the National Judicial Appointments Commission verdict, were noted. He served as a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha from 1999-2005.
Nariman, born to a Parsi family in Myanmar on January 10, 1929, began his law practice at the Bombay High Court in 1950. The constitutional lawyer and jurist received the Padma Bhushan in 1991 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2007.
