Nation mourns demise of legal stalwart Ram Jethmalani
Mumbai: After the death of eminent lawyer Ram Jethmalani on Sunday morning, Union Home Minister Amit Shah paid last respect at his residence in the national capital, New Delhi.
Stating that he is deeply pained to know about the passing away of Jethmalani, Amit Shah tweeted that "we have not only lost a distinguished lawyer but also a great human who was full of life".
"Ram Jethmalani ji's passing away is an irreparable loss to the entire legal community. He will always be remembered for his vast knowledge on legal affairs. My condolences to the bereaved family. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti," he said in a tweet.
Ram Jethmalani ji’s passing away is a irreparable loss to the entire legal community. He will always be remembered for his vast knowledge on legal affairs. My condolences to the bereaved family. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 8, 2019
Vice President of India M Venkaiah Naidu visited Jethmalani's residence to day morning to pay his respects.
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
However, several political leaders across all parties paid tribute to the former Union minister Jethmalani, who passed away at the age of 95 after battling with illness for past two weeks.
"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," tweeted Arvind Kejriwal.
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.
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) September 8, 2019
RIP Ram sir
"Deeply condole the passing away of the veteran lawyer and former Law Minister Ram Jethmalani. His brilliance, eloquence, powerful advocacy and sound understanding of law will remain a worthy example in legal profession. My profound condolences" tweeted Ravi Shankar Prasad.
Deeply condole the passing away of the veteran lawyer and former Law Minister Ram Jethmalani. His brilliance, eloquence, powerful advocacy and sound understanding of law will remain a worthy example in legal profession. My profound condolences.
— Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) September 8, 2019
Expressing grief over the death of "legal luminary" Jethmalani, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family.
"Jethmalani will be remembered as a great legal expert who had handled high-profile cases in his long and illustrious career. May his soul rest in peace," Reddy said in a statement.
Other leaders and people across political and legal circle condoled the demise the noted jurist.
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) 8 September 2019
Deeply saddened by the demise of former Union Minister and eminent lawyer, Shri Ram Jethmalani Ji.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) 8 September 2019
Blessed with knowledge and intelligence he made noteworthy contribution to lawmaking and pubic life. My heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family.
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— Nitish Kumar (@NitishKumar) 8 September 2019
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) 8 September 2019
My friend turned foe turned very good friend Ram Jethmalani passed away today at 95 years age. Farewell friend
— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) 8 September 2019
Deeply saddened to hear about the demise of former Union Minister and noted legal luminary of the country Shri Ram Jethmalani Ji.
— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) 8 September 2019
My thoughts and prayers are with bereaved family.
Om Shanti
An eminent lawyer, a good friend and a wonderful human being. His prowess will not just be missed by the legal community but by everyone whose life he touched. Farewell Ram, you will always be missed. Pray that the lord almighty take care of you. #RamJethmalani
— Vijay Kumar Singh (@Gen_VKSingh) 8 September 2019
Saddened by the passing away of distinguished jurist and Rajya Sabha colleague, Shri Ram Jethmalani ji. Condolences to the bereaved family.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) 8 September 2019
Condolences on the demise of Shri. #RamJethmalani, Member of Rajya Sabha and an eminent lawyer. Truly, he was a legal eagle. Fiery and ever ready to pick on legal merit, in #jethmalani’s passing away, India has lost a jurist.
— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) 8 September 2019
Saddened to hear the news of passing away of eminent lawyer & former union law minister Shri Ram Jethmalani. He was a legend of bar and inspiration for many lawyers. His vast experience and knowledge will be missed.
— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) 8 September 2019
Born in Sindh province, Jethamalani fought numerous high profile legal cases in the Supreme Court and numerous high courts.
His first noticeable case was in 1959 when he was the public prosecutor in the K M Nanavati case vs State of Maharashtra case.
He also defended the LTTE militants who had assassinated Rajiv Gandhi. He also represented Harshad Mehta and Ketan Parekh in stock market scams.
He also defended the death penalty of Afzal Guru and represented Manu Sharma in the Jessica Lall murder case.
He successfully contested two parliamentary elections on a Bharatiya Janata Party ticket from Mumbai.
He headed the law ministry and urban development ministry in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.
He, however, contested against Vajpayee in 2004 Lok Sabha elections from Lucknow constituency.
He is survived by his son Mahesh Jethmalani and a daughter who is based in the USA. His another daughter Rani Jethmalani had pre-deceased him.