Gigantic legal luminary lost: Bar Council of India

The Bar Council of India (BCI) on Sunday condoled the demise of eminent jurist and former Union minister Ram Jethmalani, saying a doyen of the legal fraternity has been lost.

Chairman of the apex body of lawyers and senior advocate Manan Kumar Mishra said Jethmalani was a gigantic legal luminary.

"Today, we have lost the legend, the doyen of the legal fraternity. Ram Jethmalani was a gigantic legal luminary. He was a revered and respected figure both by the Bar and the Bench due to his vast knowledge.

"He was the most sought after criminal lawyer in India. He was born to become a lawyer," a BCI release said.

Even though his forte was criminal law, Jethmalani had appeared in many high profile civil cases and shot to limelight with his appearance in the sensational Nanavati case in 1959, it said.

"He has left behind a legacy, a void which perhaps cannot be filled. He lived on till a ripe old age and now that he is no more, he will be sorely missed. At this time of grief, we extend our ..