‘Unflinching ethics, indomitable courage’ — full text of CJI Chandrachud’s tribute to Fali S Nariman

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Key Points

They do so first and foremost, through their outstanding legal acumen and incredible work ethic..

In 1971 he was designated a Senior Advocate in the Supreme Court and in 1972 he was appointed Additional Solicitor General of India, at a time when the Union of India only had three law officers: the Attorney General of India, the Solicitor General of India, and Mr Nariman, the Additional Solicitor General of India...

However, his continued accomplishments at the Supreme Court are a testament not only to his enduring legal prowess that saw him through turbulent times, but also to that finest tradition of the Bar in rising above the disagreements of the day to unfailingly serve their clients, assist the Court, and work towards our nations betterment...

In fact, as a very fair and conscientious counsel Mr Nariman realised the inherent weakness and the apparent absurdity of the aforesaid impugned provision and in the course of his arguments he stated that he had been able to persuade the Management [of Air India] to amend the Rules so as to delete first pregnancy as a ground for termination of the service...

The ultimate test of a moral person is their willingness to raise a voice for justice even when it means rocking the boat (in this case, as he would say, the aircraft) , and Mr Nariman was always willing to speak for what was right and just.. Mr Narimans distinguished career continued throughout the remainder of the twentieth century and into the twenty-first..