Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday extended his heartfelt condolences on the demise of senior advocate Ram Jethmalani. The former Union Minister and senior advocate of Supreme Court of India passed away on Sunday. Prime Minister Modi said that India lost an exceptional lawyer and a public figure. Recalling his personal bond with the eminent lawyer, PM said: "One of the best aspects of Shri Ram Jethmalani Ji was the ability to speak his mind. And, he did so without any fear. During the dark days of the Emergency, his fortitude and fight for public liberties will be remembered. Helping the needy was an integral part of his persona."

The Prime Minister added that he considers himself fortunate for he got many opportunities to interact with Ram Jethmalani. "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," the Prime Minister added extending his condolence to friends and family of Jethmalani. 

Ram Jethmalani passed away

Ram Jethmalani, former Union Minister and senior advocate of Supreme Court of India passed away on Sunday. Ram Jethmalani breathed his last at 7.45 am at his official residence in New Delhi, his son Mahesh Jethmalani informed. He was under medical care in last two weeks. His son also informed that Ram Jethmalani's last rites will be performed in the evening at the Lodhi road crematorium.

Eminent lawyer Ram Jethmalani passes away at 95

Ram Jethmalani's career

Ram Jethmalani was a part of BJP and was elected as a member of parliament in 6th and 7th Lok Sabha. He had served as Union Minister of Law and urban development under Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government. Jethmalani had an illustrious legal career with his first noteworthy case being the KM Nanavati versus State of Maharashtra case. He had been associated in high profile and controversial cases like that of defence of Rajiv Gandhi's killer, defence of Harshad Mehta and Ketan Parekh in stock market scams. He was also elected as president of Supreme Court Bar association.

Ram Jethmalani, known as a maverick lawyer obtained a law degree at an early age of 17 and started practising law in Karachi until the partition of India. After partition, he moved to the then Bombay province. He was married at the age of eighteen, and later married Ratna Shahani, who was herself a lawyer, in the year 1952. He has two sons and two daughters.

Jethmalani has published many books, namely 'Justice Soviet Style', 'Big Egos Small Men', 'Conscience of a Maverick', 'Maverick: Unchanged, Unrepentant'. He has also written books on various law subjects such as Private International Law, Media Law, and Conflict of Laws. Jethmalani has two biographies written after him, 'Ram Jethmalani: An Authorized Biography' by Nalin Gera; and 'The Rebel' by Susan Adelman.

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