Who is Fali Sam Nariman? ‘Bhishma Pitamah’ of lawyer community represented these landmark cases

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passed away at the age of 95. He stood out as a distinguished figure in Indian legal history. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1991 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2007.

While reacting to his demise, lawyer Prashant Bhushan called him “Bhishma Pitamah of the Lawyer community". Born in 1929, he made his mark as a constitutional lawyer and senior advocate to the Supreme Court of India. His journey in the legal field began after graduating from law.

He was respected for his expertise, particularly in constitutional law and international arbitration. Nariman's career took a significant leap forward when he was appointed a Senior Advocate by the Supreme Court of India in 1971. Before Memory Fades is the autobiography of Fali S Nariman.

Rohinton Nariman, his son, served as a Supreme Court of India judge as well. He was the Additional Solicitor General of India in 1972-1975. He resigned after the Emergency had been declared.

He remained one of the most distinguished jurists, recognised globally for his contributions. Over the years, Nariman was involved in several landmark cases that have shaped Indian law. Nariman argued for Union Carbide in the Bhopal gas disaster case.

He helped make a deal that gave $470 million to the victims outside of court. But, when he was asked if it was a mistake, he said yes. “Yes, I think so.

Because I thought this was one more case which would add a feather to my cap. I mean one is always ambitious at that age. But I found later – but then it's too late, one can't walk out of the case one has already taken up – that it was not a case, it was a tragedy.