New Delhi: Fali S Nariman, an eminent jurist and Senior Advocate, has passed away. He was 95 years old.
Fali S Nariman, a renowned constitutional lawyer, has argued several historic cases, including the famous NJAC ruling. He also appeared in the landmark SC AoR Association case (which resulted in the collegium system), the TMA Pai case (which addressed the scope of minority rights under Article 30), and others.
In June 1975, he resigned as Additional Solicitor General of India in protest of the Indira Gandhi government's decision to impose an emergency, Live Law reported.
Nariman was a staunch supporter of civil freedoms and secularism, and his critical views on judicial developments were widely received. Nariman criticised the latest judgement in the Article 370 case. His son, Rohinton Nariman, served as a Supreme Court judge.
His autobiography "Before Memory Fades" is widely read, particularly among law students and young lawyers, and serves as a source of motivation to them. His other writings include "The State of the Nation" and "God Save the Hon'ble Supreme Court".
“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 Indian government honoured him with the Padma Bhushan in 1991 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2007. From 1999 until 2005, he was a nominated Rajya Sabha member.