Eminent jurist and former Union minister Ram Jethmalani passed away on Sunday at the age of 95, his family members said. He died a few days before his 96th birthday on September 14. President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and country’s several top leaders condoled the demise of Ram Jethmalani. PM Modi said that the country has lost an exceptional lawyer and an iconic figure who made rich contributions in courts and Parliament.
Jethmalani breathed his last at 7.45 am at his official residence in New Delhi.
Ram Jethmalani was not keeping well for a few months. His son, Mahesh said his father’s last rites will be performed at the Lodhi road crematorium here. Besides Mahesh Jethmalani, the former Union minister is survived by his daughter based in the US. His other daughter, Rani Jethmalani, died in 2011.
Jethmalani was the Union law minister and also the Urban development minister during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government. He also served as the Supreme Court Bar Association president in 2010. He was born in Shikarpur in Sindh province (now in Pakistan) on September 14, 1923 and obtained a law degree at the age of 17.
“Saddened by the passing of Shri Ram Jethmalani, former Union Minister and a veteran lawyer. He was known to express his views on public issues with his characteristic eloquence. The nation has lost a distinguished jurist, a person of great erudition and intellect,” the President’s Secretariat tweeted.
Saddened by the passing of Shri Ram Jethmalani, former Union Minister and a veteran lawyer. He was known to express his views on public issues with his characteristic eloquence. The nation has lost a distinguished jurist, a person of great erudition and intellect #PresidentKovind
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) September 8, 2019
Venkaiah Naidu, in his tweet, said Jethmalani was “one of the brilliant minds of Bharat” and in his death the nation has lost “a distinguished jurist, a great intellectual and a patriot, who was active till his last breath”.
Deeply saddened to learn about the demise of Shri Ram Jethmalani, former Union Minister, a legal luminary & one of the brilliant minds of Bharat. In his passing away the nation has lost a distinguished jurist, a great intellectual & a patriot, who was active till his last breath pic.twitter.com/Z0xCTm0R7q
— VicePresidentOfIndia (@VPSecretariat) September 8, 2019
Modi said Jethmalani 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,” the prime minister 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. pic.twitter.com/8fItp9RyTk
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 8, 2019
Former prime minister Manmohan Singh also condoled the demise of Jethmalani, saying in his death India has lost “an eminent jurist, an able administrator and a seasoned parliamentarian”.
Other senior leaders from across the political spectrum joined in paying homage to the veteran jurist who was widely respected for his legal acumen and incisive thinking.
Home Minister Amit Shah described his passing away as an “irreparable loss” to the entire legal community. “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,” he tweeted. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said Jethmalani made valuable contribution to the legal field.
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
Rajya Sabha MP and senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy also tweeted to express his condolences. “My friend turned foe turned very good friend Ram Jethmalani passed away today at 95 years age. Farewell friend,” he said.
My friend turned foe turned very good friend Ram Jethmalani passed away today at 95 years age. Farewell friend
— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) September 8, 2019
Senior Congress leaders too joined in paying rich tributes to him describing him as “fearless” and a “crusader in both law and politics”.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi also expressed grief over the demise of the eminent jurist and extended her condolences to his family and friends.
“Ram Jethmalani is no more. A crusader in both law and politics he stood steadfastly for the causes he took up. His knowledge in criminal law was matched by none,” senior lawyer and Congress leader Kapil Sibal tweeted.
Ram Jethmalani is no more . A crusader in both law and politics he stood steadfastly for the causes he took up . His knowledge in criminal law was matched by none . He was also a bundle of affection . The nation has lost a great son . May his soul rest in peace.
— Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) September 8, 2019
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also tweeted to offer tributes, saying, “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”.
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
CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury tweeted: “Deep grief at the passing away of Ram Jethmalani. He was a dear friend, fellow Parliamentarian and a legal legend. Deepest condolences to his family and the large number of friends and admirers”.
Deep grief at the passing away of Ram Jethmalani. He was a dear friend, fellow Parliamentarian and a legal legend. Deepest condolences to his family and the large number of friends and admirers.
— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) September 8, 2019
Attorney General K K Venugopal said the country has lost its finest lawyer who was bold and handled the most sensational criminal cases and constitutional matters.
Opposition leader Sharad Yadav said Jethmalani was a “very good friend of mine” and in fact he was “a friend of friends”.
“He was a fighter who used to contest with tremendous energy, knowledge and logics not only in Courts but also in Parliament and public forums. He was a great thinker, philanthropist and always ready to help friends not only in the Courts but in general also,” Yadav said in his condolence message.
