Union ministers, politicians pay tribute to veteran lawyer Ram Jethmalani

Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad condoled the demise of veteran lawyer Ram Jethmalani who passed away on Sunday morning.

"Deeply condole the passing away of the veteran lawyer and former Law Minister Ram Jethmalani. His brilliance, eloquence, powerful advocacy and sound understanding of law will remain a worthy example in legal profession. My profound condolences" tweeted Ravi Shankar Prasad.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal paid tribute to the eminent lawyer and former Union minister Ram Jethmalani.

"Extremely saddened at the passing away of legendary lawyer Ram Jethmalani Ji. An institution in himself, he shaped criminal law in post-independence India. His void would never be filled and his name will be written in golden words in legal history. RIP Ram sir," tweeted Arvind Kejriwal.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday paid last respects to veteran lawyer Ram Jethmalani at the latter's residence in the national capital.

Former Union Minister Jethmalani passed away this morning, just six days short of his 96th birthday.

Stating that he is deeply pained to know about the passing away of Jethmalani, Shah tweeted that "we have not only lost a distinguished lawyer but also a great human who was full of life"."

Ram Jethmalani ji's passing away is an irreparable loss to the entire legal community. He will always be remembered for his vast knowledge on legal affairs. My condolences to the bereaved family. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti," he said in a tweet.

Jethmalani became a member of Rajya Sabha in 1988 and later served as the law minister and the urban development minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee cabinet. He was also appointed as the Chairman of Bar Council of India.

He was one of the highest-paid lawyers in the Supreme Court. Jethmalani, who had announced his retirement in September 2017, was known as a "doyen of criminal law" for fighting several high-profile cases from stockbroker Harshad Mehta to former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao, among others.

Jethmalani is survived by his son Mahesh Jethmalani and a daughter.