SOLI SORABJEE – Central News Hub

OBIT: Soli Sorabjee By Sarosh Zaiwalla

SAROSH ZAIWALLA: We have lost a kind noble Soul who has left for his heavenly abode today. In his passing my firm and I have lost a well-wisher, supporter and a friend

Soli Sorabjee, former Attorney General of India, passed away today. He was victim of the current Covid surge in India. I had known Soli since my childhood days in Mumbai. Soli was a unique personality.

Some six or so years ago my firm had instructed him to give evidence on Indian Law on behalf of our client PEC Ltd, an Indian government-owned company based in Delhi, in a case before the English court. PEC Ltd vs Asia Golden Rice involved a challenge to a GAFTA Appeal Board arbitration Award. The case was listed for a three-day hearing in the English High Court before Hon Mr Justice Walker. Soli was going to travel to London for the hearing.

Two days before the hearing my firm got a message from the High Court that Mr Justice Walker had decided to step down as the judge for the hearing on noticing that Mr Sorabjee was going to be an expert witness because he had heard Soli’s presentation at an International law conference in Australia and he was so very impressed by Mr Sorabjee’s truthfulness and integrity that it would not be fair to the other party for him to sit as a judge in the case. Such was Soli’s reputation for truthfulness and integrity.

My last meeting with Soli was in January 2020 when on very short notice he attended the book launch of my memoir in Delhi in a wheelchair. This was another example of Soli’s kind nature. We have lost a kind noble Soul who has left for his heavenly abode today. In his passing my firm and I have lost a well-wisher, supporter and a friend. My sincere condolences to his wife Zeena and other members of his family.

Soli Sorabjee, a doyen among legal luminaries, passes away

Born in 1930, Sorabjee started his practice in 1953 and was designated as ‘Senior Advocate’ in 1971 by the Supreme Court…reports Asian Lite News.

Former Attorney General Soli Sorabjee died of Covid in a private hospital here on Friday. One of the top most lawyers of the country, Sorabjee (91) was tested positive of Covid a few days ago and was being treated in a private hospital in the national capital. He is survived by his wife, a daughter and two sons.

In his around seven decades of legal profession, Sorabjee served twice as the Attorney General for India. First from 1989-90 and second from 1998 to 2004.

Born in 1930, Sorabjee started his practice in 1953 and was designated as ‘Senior Advocate’ in 1971 by the Supreme Court.

He was conferred Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian award, in 2002 for his exemplary services.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Justice NV Ramana and several Union ministers on Friday condoled the death.

“Shri Soli Sorabjee was an outstanding lawyer and intellectual. Through law, he was at the forefront of helping the poor and downtrodden. He will be remembered for his noteworthy tenures India’s Attorney General. Saddened by his demise. Condolences to his family and admirers,” PM Modi tweeted.

A bench of Chief Justice NV Ramana and justices Surya Kant and AS Bopanna, just before the start of the day’s court proceedings virtually, said, “It a very sad news that human rights fighter Soli has passed away this morning. We pray for the gentle soul”.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh also extended his condolences and called Sorabjee an “exceptional legal mind and a great scholar of the Indian constitution.” “Deeply pained by the demise of India’s former Attorney General and veteran jurist, Shri Soli Sorabjee,” Singh tweeted. “His services to the nation will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family,” he added.

Shri Soli Sorabjee was an outstanding lawyer and intellectual. Through law, he was at the forefront of helping the poor and downtrodden. He will be remembered for his noteworthy tenures India’s Attorney General. Saddened by his demise. Condolences to his family and admirers.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 30, 2021

Union home minister Amit Shah said that Sorabjee would always be remembered for his contribution in the field of constitutional law. “Anguished to learn about the passing away of Shri Soli Sorabjee, a noted jurist and former Attorney General of India,” Shah tweeted.

Anguished to learn about the passing away of Shri Soli Sorabjee, a noted jurist and former Attorney General of India. Sorabjee was a doyen of the legal fraternity, who will always be remembered for his contribution in the field of constitutional law. My condolences to his family.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 30, 2021

“Sorabjee was a doyen of the legal fraternity, who will always be remembered for his contribution in the field of constitutional law. My condolences to his family,” Amit Shah said.

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