Goolam Vahanvati passes away after heart attack

Tuesday, 2 September 2014 By Legally India Obituaries

The previous government’s attorney general Goolam Essaji Vahanvati passed away earlier today after a “massive cardiac arrest”, reported the Times of India, aged 65 years.

Vahanvati was the first Muslim to become attorney general of India, when he became the Congress-led government’s most senior law officer from 2009 until the BJP’s election win in 2014.

He was designated as a senior advocate in 1990, became advocate general of Maharashtra in 1999 and solicitor general in 2004.

He is survived by his wife, daughter and his son, Essaji Vahanvati, who is a partner at AZB & Partners Mumbai.

Goolam Vahanvati

Comments

ABHINAV KISLAY 2 Sept 2014, 15:05
+0 -1
RIP
Wannabe AOR 3 Sept 2014, 07:17
+2 -3
RIP Vahanvati, one of the finest lawyers in Supreme Court who was always courteous towards fellow members of the bar.
A 3 Sept 2014, 09:32
+5 -6
Kian, you should also link to the excellent profile of Vahanvati that Caravan did last year. It may not be the most charitable, but speaks the truth and of the man.
Link for the lazy: http://www.caravanmagazine.in/reportage/inside-man
Guest 8 Sept 2014, 06:07
+0 -2
Seriously????? Wow this is in such bad taste you vulture. Slow clap for you Kian, for the wonderful job on moderating this.
kianganz 8 Sept 2014, 07:11
+1 -0
The Caravan profile was a little critical about the position he took on issues while AG, but it's also a really interesting and honest profile about Goolam Vahanvati, the person and lawyer, which was not unkind.

However, in general and not in context of the late Mr Vahanvati, while obituaries should certainly be respectful of the deceased, there is no rule that they can not mention criticism or facets of their life that attracted controversy.

In any case, RIP, from what I know of him, he was a true gentleman and the profession will be poorer without him.
SGS 3 Sept 2014, 09:42
+0 -1
RIP Sir...
SC Lawyer 3 Sept 2014, 10:20
+2 -1
RIP, Sir. Will remember you as someone who was always kind and gracious to those around you, and particularly to juniors and staff. And that's often the truest test of character.
DBS 3 Sept 2014, 11:58
+7 -2
RIP.

But why refer to him as 'first muslim'?!? If he weren't muslim , would he have been a lesser or a better lawyer?!

Even ex-CJI Balakrishnan was repeatedly referred to as 'first dalit CJI'.

Its demeaning & sort of racist!
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