Noted criminal lawyer and former Union Minister of India, Ram Jethmalani, passed away this morning at his Delhi residence. He was 95 years old. The veteran lawyer had not been keeping well since the last few months.
According to the reports, Jethmalani was bedridden for last one week and had lost a lot of weight due to his illness. He is survived by a son and a daughter who lives in the USA. His last rites will be performed in the evening at 4 pm at the Lodhi Road crematorium.
Mr. Jethmalani was a six-time Rajya Sabha member and served as the Union Law Minister under the BJP led NDA government. Apart from this, he had also served as the Urban Development Minister in Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s cabinet.
Expressing his grief over the demise of Jethmalani, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “In the passing away of Shri Ram Jethmalani Ji, India has lost an exceptional lawyer and iconic public figure who made rich contributions both in the Court and Parliament. He was witty, courageous and never shied away from boldly expressing himself on any subject.”
In the passing away of Shri Ram Jethmalani Ji, India has lost an exceptional lawyer and iconic public figure who made rich contributions both in the Court and Parliament. He was witty, courageous and never shied away from boldly expressing himself on any subject. pic.twitter.com/8fItp9RyTk
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 8, 2019
In another tweet, the Prime Minister added, “One of the best aspects of Shri Ram Jethmalani Ji was the ability to speak his mind. And, he did so without any fear. During the dark days of the Emergency, his fortitude and fight for public liberties will be remembered. Helping the needy was an integral part of his persona.”
Condolence messages from other eminent leaders and dignitaries also started pouring in soon after his demise.
Deeply pained to know about the passing away of India’s veteran lawyer and former Union Minister Shri Ram Jethmalani ji. In him we have not only lost a distinguished lawyer but also a great human who was full of life.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 8, 2019
Deeply saddened to hear about the demise of former Union Minister and noted legal luminary of the country Shri Ram Jethmalani Ji.
My thoughts and prayers are with bereaved family.
Om Shanti
— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) September 8, 2019
Extremely saddened at the passing away of legendary lawyer Ram Jethmalani ji. An institution in himself, he shaped criminal law in post-independence India. His void would never be filled and his name will be written in golden words in legal history.
RIP Ram sir
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) September 8, 2019
Paid my last respects to Ram Jethmalani ji and expressed my condolences to the bereaved family. Om Shanti! pic.twitter.com/ZavNhBRhbY
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 8, 2019
Ram Jethmalani Ji has been one of the finest criminal lawyers the country has seen. He was a powerhouse of knowledge and never shied from speaking his mind.
His demise is a huge loss for the entire legal fraternity. May the departed soul rest in peace. #RamJethmalani pic.twitter.com/Ve2sO7uqWq
— Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (@JM_Scindia) September 8, 2019
Deeply saddened by the passing of former Union Minister Shri. Ram Jethmalani ji. An eminent criminal lawyer and thinker – Jethmalani ji was a legal powerhouse in every sense. His passing is a great loss to the nation & to the legal fraternity.#RamJethmalani
— Vasundhara Raje (@VasundharaBJP) September 8, 2019
Several BJP leaders including Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paid their last respect to Mr. Jethmalani at his home this morning.
Paid last respects to Shri Ram Jethmalani ji at his residence in New Delhi. pic.twitter.com/Nmn85ZUg4u
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 8, 2019
Ram Jethmalani had fought several high-profile cases during his tenure as a Supreme Court lawyer. One of the most talked-about cases of his life remains the KM Nanavati vs State of Maharashtra case. Jethmalani had also defended several high-profile politicians and bureaucrats including Harshad Mehta and Ketan Parekh in the 1992 securities scam, LK Advani, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Jayalalithaa and Arvind Kejriwal.
Jethmalani was one of the highest-paid lawyers in the country. He announced his retirement in 2017 marking the end of a seven-decade long career. Jethmalani’s death came just six days before his 96th birthday.
Featured Image: Live Law
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