Eminent lawyer and former Union Minister Ram Jethmalani passed away on Sunday morning, just six days before his 96th birthday on 14th September.
He passed away at his residence in the national capital.
Home Minister Amit Shah paid his last respects to the veteran lawyer at the latter’s residence.
He also tweeted a tribute to him saying, “Deeply pained to know about the passing away of India’s veteran lawyer and former Union Minister Shri Ram Jethmalani ji. In him we have not only lost a distinguished lawyer but also a great human who was full of life.”
Deeply pained to know about the passing away of India’s veteran lawyer and former Union Minister Shri Ram Jethmalani ji. In him we have not only lost a distinguished lawyer but also a great human who was full of life.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 8, 2019
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu paid his last respects as well.
Delhi: Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu pays last respects to veteran lawyer and former Union Minister Ram Jethmalani. He passed away this morning at the age of 95. pic.twitter.com/gfmKtjOmbL
— ANI (@ANI) September 8, 2019
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was also present at his residence as he paid his last respects.
Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh pays last respects to veteran lawyer and former Union Minister #RamJethmalani. He passed away this morning at the age of 95. pic.twitter.com/20mdhfZwPE
— ANI (@ANI) September 8, 2019
PM Modi tweeted heartfelt words of praise for the former Union Minister as he said that “India has lost an exceptional lawyer and iconic public figure who made rich contributions both in the Court and Parliament.”
In the passing away of Shri Ram Jethmalani Ji, 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. pic.twitter.com/8fItp9RyTk
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 8, 2019
He expressed his gratitude in having gotten numerous opportunities to interact with the veteran lawyer and extended his condolences at latter’s demise.
I consider myself fortunate to have got numerous opportunities to interact with Shri Ram Jethmalani Ji. In these sad moments, my condolences to his family, friends and many admirers. He may not be here but his pioneering work will live on! Om Shanti.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 8, 2019
Jethmalani served as the law minister and the urban development minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee cabinet. He had also served as the Chairman of Bar Council of India.
Jethmalani, who announced his retirement in September 2017, fought several high-profile cases, representing many controversial clients from stockbroker Harshad Mehta to former prime minister PV Narasimha Rao, among others.
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From appearing in the famous KM Nanavati versus State of Maharashtra case in 1959 to the multi-crore 2G scam in 2011, from being LK Advani’s defence in the Hawala scam to fighting for Arvind Kejriwal in a defamation case filed by Arun Jaitley, Jethmalani has been part of many high-profile cases in the court of law.