‘Great giant of an intellectual’: PM Modi, CJI Chandrachud mourn Fali S Nariman’s passing

With famed constitutional jurist Fali Sam Nariman passing away, several key figures in social and political spheres took to social media to register condolences and pay respects to the legal doyen’s family.

Nariman, who was suffering from multiple ailments, including cardiac issues, passed away in his New Delhi house on Wednesday morning. He was 95. He is survived by his son, former Supreme Court judge Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman, daughter-in-law Sanaya, and daughter Anaheeta. His wife Bapsi Nariman passed away in 2020.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he was pained at Nariman’s death, terming the jurist one of the “most outstanding legal minds and intellectuals”.

Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud began the day’s proceedings in the Supreme Court by condoling Nariman’s death. “Mr Attorney General, we mourn the sad demise and passing away of Fali Nariman. He was a great giant of an intellectual,” Chandrachud told Attorney General R Venkataramani, as per the news agency PTI.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told The Indian Express that the demise has left the legal fraternity intellectually poorer.

“Not only the legal fraternity, but the nation has lost a towering figure of intellect and wisdom. The country has lost the epitome of what righteousness stood for. A doyen, paragon, and a legend in his lifetime, he has left us the jurisprudence enriched by his immense contribution. I have always learnt something new by merely appearing even against him,” Mehta said.

“Sharing the homemade buttermilk brought by me from my home in the Supreme Court corridors while he regaled all of us with many past anecdotes in Gujarati is a cherished memory for me though he used to come only on a few occasions in the last few years. His loving gesture of sending all the books written by him to me with his autograph will always remain a proud possession for me and even for the next generations,” he said.

“The legal fraternity is intellectually poorer today. Such intellectual giants do not die. They remain immortal through their contribution. There cannot be and will not be another Fali Nariman,” Mehta added.

Former CJI N V Ramana, expressing sorrow at Nariamn’s passing, said, “Shri Nariman witnessed our nation’s many a trials and tribulations, both before and after independence and fought for upholding Constitutional values till his last breath. Series of his spirited interviews at such an advanced age in the very recent past stand testimony to his commitment for the Constitutional principles.”

“Never known for mincing words, Shri Fali S Nariman has been a conscience keeper for judicial institutions. Through his arguments in court rooms, widely read newspaper columns, public lectures, parliamentary interventions and televised interviews he has educated generations of legal professionals and the general public alike. Huge volume of his work will keep on guiding the generations to come. Shri Fali S Nariman will be remembered as an ethical giant,” Ramana added.

“I offer my sincere condolences to Brother Rohinton and family and to countless admirers and fans of Shri Fali S Nariman,” he said in a statement.

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