CJI NV Ramana speech at Soli Sorabjee memorial service
Dear brother and sister Judges, my friends from the Bar, respected members of the audience and members of Soli’s family, It is difficult to accept that it has already been a month since we have lost one of the greatest legal minds, an advocate for the rule of law and a champion of constitutional rights.
It would be a herculean task to describe in few words the achievements of an eminent jurist over his long and illustrious career. Soli Sorabjee started his practice before the Bombay High Court in 1953, when the freedom movement was still fresh in the nation’s mind. No doubt, the freedom movement and the vision of the framers of the Constitution influenced him greatly. He was a man with an unflinching faith in the Constitutional ideals, particularly those relating to the freedom of speech and human rights. He was a defender of civil liberties during the tough Emergency era. He played a crucial role in some of the most iconic cases which have defined the legal landscape of this great nation.
He assisted Mr. Nani Palkhivala in the Golaknath and Kesavananda Bharati cases. As a counsel, and subsequently the Attorney General of India, he argued many landmark cases such as Maneka Gandhi, D.C. Wadhwa and S.R. Bommai. It can be said in unequivocal terms that he played a pivotal role in crafting our country’s jurisprudence. He brought honor and glory not only to himself, but to the institution as a whole. In the early years of my career, I had the opportunity to personally witness Soli’s brilliance. In 1988, I met Soli to brief him on a matter relating to the then Chief Minister of my State.
Even before I started briefing him, I realized that he had already read the entire file and had the details of the case at his fingertips, which reflected his dedication to the brief. The briefing lasted just 5 minutes, in which Soli asked me only two questions. To my surprise, at the hearing, those were the very same questions posed by the bench to Soli. I thought I had seen a prophet in action. I must admit that he was one of those who inspired me to continue in the profession. Apart from his Courtroom genius, Soli was an epitome of grace, modesty, humility, integrity and kindness, which always stood out to me. He lived his 3 life wholly on his terms and pursued his diverse passions with great energy. He left an indelible mark on many. Soli’s untimely death due to Covid was a complete shock. Though he has passed into the realm of the immortal, but his memory will endure. We have lost a great soul but we shall continue to remember the great human qualities he possessed which can help us through these difficult times. His spirit and confidence in the constitutional ethos of this country, and his never-ending quest for justice should be our guide. A true tribute to Soli would be to continue to uphold the Constitutional values- the fundamental rights and freedom that are essential for human existence in a civilized society. People like Soli continue to live in our memories. I would like to thank his family for giving me the opportunity to share my thoughts on this solemn occasion. I pray to the Almighty to give all of you comfort and peace.
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