Eminent Indian Jurist Fali S Nariman Passes Away at 95

Eminent Indian Jurist Fali S Nariman Passes Away at 95. He is survived by his son, former Supreme Court judge Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman, daughter-in-law Sanaya, and daughter Anaheeta.

[Image taken from India Today]

Born 10 January 1929, Fali Sam Nariman was an eminent Indian jurist and senior Supreme Court advocate. He was honored with the 19th Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for Excellence in Public Administration 2018. He was also awarded the Padma Bhushan in the year 1991, the Padma Vibhushan in the year 2007 and the Gruber Prize for Justice in the year 2002. He was also a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha between the years 1999-2005.

Fali S Nariman started practicing in the Bombay High Court in the 1950s and after 22 years, he was appointed as a Senior Advocate in the Supreme Court of India. Nariman held various significant positions in the legal field, including serving as the Additional Solicitor General of India. He was also associated with various important legal bodies and committees.

Throughout his career, Nariman had been a vocal advocate for judicial independence and the rule of law. He expressed his views on preserving the autonomy of the judiciary in ensuring a fair and just legal system. To protest against Indira Gandhi’s decision to impose Emergency and suspend Fundamental Rights, Fali S. Nariman had resigned from the post of Additional Solicitor General in the year 1975.

Nariman is particularly renowned for his deep understanding of constitutional law. His contributions have played a crucial role in shaping and interpreting India’s constitutional framework. He had argued in famous cases like the Bhopal Gas Tragedy Case where he argued in favour of Union Carbide, the Supreme Court AoR Association case as well as other cases like Golak Nath v. State of Punjab, S.P. Gupta v. UoI and T.M.A. Pai Foundation, etc.

Nariman has also authored several books like “The State of Nation” and “God Save the Hon’ble Supreme Court”. His autobiography “Before Memory Fades” reflects his concern for the welfare of the judiciary, his belief in the Constitution as well as his views on the troubled relationship between political power and the judiciary.