Eminent jurist and former Attorney General of India Soli J Sorabjee passed away on Friday at a private hospital due to Covid-19, it was announced here.

He was 91 and is survived by his wife, two sons and daughter Zia Mody — a lawyer. President Ram Nath Kovind, PM Narendra Modi and CJI NV Ramana condoled his death.

“In the passing of Soli Sorabjee, we lost an icon of India’s legal system. He was among the select few who deeply influenced the evolution of constitutional law and justice system,” the President tweeted. Describing him as “an outstanding lawyer and intellectual”, Modi said, “Through law, he was at the forefront of helping the poor and downtrodden. He will be remembered for his noteworthy tenures as India’s Attorney General. Saddened by his demise.”

Remembering him as “a champion of Freedom of Press,” the CJI said, “”He will be remembered as a legend who added strength to the pillars of democracy...I have personally gained immensely from reading his works, listening to his lectures and arguments and his sagacious guidance and advise, since the time I started practising as an advocate.” Born on March 9, 1930, Sorabjee obtained his LLB degree from Government Law College, Mumbai, and got enrolled at the Bar, Mumbai, in 1953. He was designated a senior advocate in 1971. A jazz lover, he was also the president of Capital Jazz, the Jazz India Delhi Chapter. Sorabjee served as the Attorney General of India twice — from 1989-90 during VP Singh’s Government and from 1998 to 2004 during the AB Vajpayee government. — TNS