Eminent Jurist Fali S Nariman Passes Away; Lesser Known Facts About His Family

Renowned constitutional jurist Fali Sam Nariman passed away at 95 in New Delhi on February 21. Overseeing more than 13,565 cases during his seven-decade-long tenure, Nariman left an imprint on the Indian and international legal landscape. He was known as the Bhishma Pitamah and was highly regarded by the lawyer community. Nariman is survived by his son-- former Supreme Court judge Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman -- daughter Anaheeta and daughter-in-law Sanaya. His wife Bapsi Nariman, passed away in 2020 aged 89.

Born in Yangon, Myanmar (then Rangoon, Burma) on January 10, 1929, Fali Sam Nariman came to Shimla for his education before his family moved to Mumbai (then Bombay). He graduated from the Government Law College, Bombay, in 1950, and started his practice at the Bombay High Court the same year. He was elevated to the post of Senior Advocate in the Supreme Court of India in 1971.

He had been part of several landmark cases including the the 2015 strike down of the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC). In December 2023, he slammed the Supreme Court's verdict upholding the abrogation of Article 370 which had conferred special status to the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir. He told Rajdeep Sardesai of India Today, "It (the verdict) is, in my view, an incorrect appreciation of the Constitution, which I didn't expect the court to do." 

Nariman was also a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha from 1999 to 2005. He was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 1991 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2007. Tributes for the esteemed lawyer poured in as soon as the news of his passing made headlines.

Shri Fali Nariman Ji was among the most outstanding legal minds and intellectuals. He devoted his life to making justice accessible to common citizens. I am pained by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family and admirers. May his soul rest in peace.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 21, 2024

My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Fali Nariman, whose demise leaves a profound void in the legal community.

His contributions have not only shaped landmark cases, but have also inspired generations of jurists to uphold the sanctity of our Constitution… pic.twitter.com/K9Uv90csPz

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 21, 2024

Very sad news. Eminent Jurist Fali S Nariman Passes Away. He was also regarded as the Bhishma Pitamah of the Lawyer community. A great lawyer & close friend of our family. His passing away at this critical juncture is an enormous loss for our country https://t.co/VsTCFTSCNK

— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) February 21, 2024

Who Is Bapsi Nariman, The 'Rock' Behind Nariman Family

Fali Sam Nariman got married to Bapsi Nariman in 1955 in Mumbai. Despite her husband and son's notability, Bapsi Nariman stood out as a prominent figure herself, especially in their Parsi community. "Bapsi aunty was the rock of the Nariman household and an impressive and independent-minded woman,” senior lawyer and friend Maneck Karanjiawalla told Indian Express in a 2020 interview.

Bapsi Nariman was a culinary writer with several published recipe books to her name. Some of her best works include A Gourmet Handbook of Parsi Cuisine and Traditional Parsi Dishes, which have made a big contribution to passing down traditional Parsi recipes to generations. She also ran an erstwhile popular restaurant, Victory Stall in Mumbai.

According to Parsi Times, she was also a philanthropist and an active member of The Time and Talents Club, which organised a variety of events to raise money for charity. Leaving behind her flamboyant social life in Mumbai, Bapsi Nariman moved to Delhi with Fali in 1972 when he was appointed as the Additional Solicitor General. However, she quickly adjusted to the social life of Delhi and soon became a prominent member of the Delhi Parsi Anjuman and contributed to their causes.

Bapsi Nariman was known to always "root for the underdog" when it came to supporting Fali Nariman. Even in her later years, when her health was deteriorating, she would accompany him wherever possible. The couple was inseparable, their friends recalled, speaking to the Indian Express. Bapsi Nariman passed away on June 9, 2020.