"Soli Sorabjee was not an individual, he was an institution"—Dr Lalit Bhasin

Soli Sorabjee was not an individual—he was an institution.

He started his law practice almost simultaneously with coming into force of our Constitution. He became an active contributor to the development of the Constitutional Law of the country as interpreted and laid down by the judiciary. His contribution was significant in Bombay High Court before he came to New Delhi to practice in the Supreme Court of India.

I do remember during the Emergency in 1975 Soli became the voice of the legal profession particularly from Bombay to oppose at personal risk the scuttling of the Freedom of Expression of the print media and of the legal profession.

Throughout his career as a lawyer, he championed the cause of Free Speech and remained a critic of the government even while holding the position of Attorney General of India against unreasonable and arbitrary actions of the Executive.

He imparted dignity to the constitutional office of Attorney General of India by his independent thinking, keeping in view the cardinal principle of strengthening and promoting Rule of Law in the country.

It is a terrible loss not just for the legal profession but for the country as a whole as he belonged to a rare breed of citizens of this country who always stood for adherence to constitutional provisions, values, traditions, and the majesty of law.

May his soul rest in peace.

Pictures of Shri Soli Sorabhjee from Dr Lalit Bhasin's personal archives.