Noted jurist and senior Supreme Court lawyer Fali Nariman passed away on February 21, at the age of 95. With a career spanning 75 years, he served as a senior advocate in the Supreme Court for the last half-century.
Fali Nariman was the Additional Solicitor General of India from 1972 to 1975, resigning from the post after the declaration of the Emergency. He was also a member of the Rajya Sabha. As the son of Justice Fali Nariman, he hailed from a family with a rich legal legacy.
Recognized for his immense contributions to the judiciary, Fali Nariman was honored with the Padma Bhushan in 1991 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2007. He also received accolades such as the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for his outstanding service.
Fali Nariman's legal prowess was evident in his involvement in several high-profile cases. Notably, he represented Union Carbide in the Bhopal gas tragedy case, securing $470 million in out-of-court compensation for the victims. However, he later reflected on the tragedy, expressing regret over his initial stance.
In the realm of criminal law, Fali Nariman represented former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in a disproportionate assets case, successfully securing bail for her. He also defended the Gujarat government in the Narmada rehabilitation case, although he withdrew from the case following concerning incidents.
Fali Nariman played a crucial role in the long-standing Cauvery water dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, representing Karnataka for over three decades. Despite his dedication, he expressed disappointment when Karnataka refused to implement a Supreme Court verdict, leading him to withdraw from the case.
Beyond his legal career, Fali Nariman was a prolific author, with works such as 'Before Memory Fades' and 'God Save the Hon'ble Supreme Court'. His autobiography serves as an inspiration for law students and legal professionals alike.
This copy was originally written Journalist by A Palaniappan and appeared in vikatan.com. Here is the english reversion.