Ram Jethmalani, an eminent Indian lawyer and former Union Minister, breathed his last at his residence in New Delhi this morning at the age of 95. His passing marks the end of an era in Indian legal and political circles.
Mr. Jethmalani had been suffering from age-related ailments for the past few months, as confirmed by his son, Mahesh Jethmalani. The veteran lawyer passed away at 7:45 am, and his final rites were conducted at the Lodhi road crematorium in Delhi later that day. The cremation was attended by notable figures including Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, who came to pay their respects to the departed legal luminary.
A distinguished six-term member of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Indian Parliament, Ram Jethmalani held ministerial positions in both the United Front and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) governments. Interestingly, in 2016, he was elected to the Rajya Sabha as a representative of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) party, showcasing his wide political appeal across different spectrums.
Throughout his extensive political journey, Mr. Jethmalani maintained a complex relationship with the BJP. Despite being elected to both houses of Parliament multiple times on a BJP ticket, and serving as a minister under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1998 and again in 1999, he resigned from the cabinet in July 2000. Further highlighting their strained relationship, he contested against Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the 2004 general elections from Lucknow. Although expelled from the BJP in 2013 for “breach of discipline,” a reconciliation was reached in 2018, signifying a closure to their political disagreements.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays respects to the family of veteran lawyer Ram Jethmalani at his Delhi residence.
A Celebrated Legal Career Defending High-Profile Clients
Ram Jethmalani’s legacy is deeply entrenched in the Indian legal system. As a highly sought-after lawyer, he was involved in numerous high-profile and sensitive cases, representing a diverse clientele including prominent politicians such as LK Advani, Lalu Prasad Yadav, J Jayalalithaaa, and Arvind Kejriwal. His willingness to take on challenging and often controversial cases cemented his reputation as a fearless and independent legal voice. His expertise spanned across various legal domains, making him a formidable figure in Indian courts.
Born on September 14, 1923, in Sindh (now in Pakistan) before the partition of India, Jethmalani demonstrated exceptional academic prowess, obtaining a law degree at the young age of 17. He began his legal practice in Karachi before the tumultuous partition of India in 1947 forced him to migrate to Bombay (now Mumbai) as a refugee. Starting anew in a new city, he rebuilt his life and legal career with determination.
In 2010, Ram Jethmalani’s peers recognized his immense contribution to the legal fraternity by electing him as the President of the Supreme Court Bar Association. Known for being one of the highest-paid lawyers in India, he announced his retirement from his illustrious seven-decade-long legal career in 2017, marking the end of a remarkable chapter in Indian legal history. He passed away just six days short of his 96th birthday.
Tributes Pour In for the Legal Legend
Following the news of his demise, tributes poured in from across the political spectrum and the legal community. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on Twitter, stating, “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.” PM Modi also highlighted Jethmalani’s role during the Emergency, praising his “fortitude and fight for public liberties.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also conveyed his grief, acknowledging the “irreparable loss to the entire legal community” and remembering Jethmalani for his “vast knowledge on legal affairs.” Notably, Ram Jethmalani had previously served as Amit Shah’s lawyer in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh alleged fake encounter case, demonstrating the depth and breadth of his legal practice.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also paid tribute to the veteran lawyer, describing him as “an institution in himself” who “shaped criminal law in post-independence India.” Kejriwal emphasized that Jethmalani’s “void would never be filled” and his name would be etched in “golden words in legal history.”
Ram Jethmalani is survived by his son Mahesh Jethmalani, also a distinguished lawyer, and a daughter based in the United States. His other daughter, Rani Jethmalani, predeceased him in 2011. The passing of Ram Jethmalani marks the end of a truly remarkable life dedicated to law, justice, and public service, leaving behind an enduring legacy for generations to come.
(With inputs from PTI)
