‘Big loss’ to legal fraternity

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 24

Attorney General KK Venugopal, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, Bar Council of India chairman Manan Kumar Mishra and other Bar leaders on Saturday condoled the death of former Union Minister and senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley, terming it a “big loss” to the country.

Describing Jaitley as the brain behind managing difficult situations faced by the BJP, Venugopal said he had lost a “friend” who was an excellent lawyer and an equally good politician.

It’s a “big loss” to the country and the legal fraternity, the Attorney General said, adding, “His death is not only a loss for the country but also the legal community and his political party.” “We all will be missing him and his memory will last for long to come (sic),” he added.

Jaitley, 66, died at AIIMS in the Capital where he was admitted on August 9 following complaints of breathlessness.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said with the passing away of Jaitley, the country has lost a statesman, brilliant parliamentarian and a legal luminary who was trusted by all cutting across the political divide. “He will be remembered as a sane voice, a dependable friend, an intelligent statesman and a legal luminary whose sound legal advice was trusted by all persons in public life across the political divide,” Mehta said

Describing him as a friend, mentor, support, role model and crisis manager for the Bar and for the nation, BCI chairman Manan Kumar Mishra said Jaitley has left an indelible impression on the nation and its policies and his void as a human being, as a politician, as a lawyer and in various fields shall be a difficult task to fill.

Bar Council of Delhi chairman KC Mittal said, “He was truly a well-wisher and friend of legal fraternity.”