Remembering Vahanvati: The lawyer who changed the face of Indian Legal System

India has at all times been a land of exceptional attorneys who haven’t solely carved a distinct segment out of themselves but in addition left their un-erasable mark on the nation’s legislation and order. One such unforgettable title is Goolam Vahanvati.The first ever Muslim to be promoted as the Indian authorities’s senior-most legislation officer, Vahanvati was the thirteenth Attorney General of the nation. Not solely that, this man of excessive calibre was additionally a UPA loyalist and had a robust affect on the politics of India in his time. 

Growing Up 

Life was not good to him in his childhood and younger grownup days. Belonging to a middle-class household, Vahanvati grew up in Mumbai with so much of monetary stress in the household. However, his money-related crunches couldn’t maintain him again into getting educated and changing into the legend that he was. An alumnus of St. Xavier’s College, he additionally holds a legislation diploma from the Government Law College of Mumbai. He not solely handed each examination with flying colors but in addition delivered lectures in St Xavier’s College in addition to Sophia College.  

He drew all his motivation and inspiration from Essaji Vahanvati, an eminent lawyer at the moment.  Instead of gossiping away along with his mates, the younger Vahanvati spent hours in courtroom day by day simply to see his father battle his circumstances. Fali S Nariman was the first lawyer beneath whom he acquired a chance to work at the Bombay High Court. As is profession excelled, he labored with well-known advocates similar to Ashok Desai, Soli Sarabjee, Ashok Sen, and the likes. 

Vahanvati’s Legal Career 

Vahanvati’s profession as one of the most sought-after attorneys of India was dotted by a plethora of highlights that at all times stored him in the headlines. In 2004, UPA acquired in energy and approached Vahanvati to grow to be the solicitor common. In UPA 2, he rose to the place of an lawyer common. He was one such man who by no means shied away from public service.  

In the 12 months 1990, Vahanvati grew to become the senior lawyer and all by his authorized tenure, he was recognized for adhering to strict guidelines. He would usually reject invites of events and at all times stayed away from the “wrong” sort of folks. Vahanvati by no means wished to be simply accessible to the networks on the market.  In December 1999, he grew to become the Advocate General of Maharashtra and remained in the designation until June 2004. In the identical 12 months, he was lastly promoted to the reputed submit of the Solicitor General of India. His authorized profession had been quiet of an enchanting journey to have a look at. From at all times being on the limelight to combating some of the most controversial circumstances of the nation, Vahanvati knew learn how to at all times be the discuss of the city.  

Controversial Cases of His Career 

Be it the case of coal block allocation, dissolution of Bihar meeting or the 2G rip-off, Goolam Vahanvati had at all times been surrounded by controversies. While serving as the advocate common of Maharashtra, he fought and gained a plethora of circumstances. In the Rs. 60,000 crore-worth of pretend stamp paper rip-off, the state was represented by Vahanvati in the PIL (Public Interest Litigation). In his tenure as the advocate common, he additionally efficiently fought the case of reservation for different backward courses (OBCs) in excessive instructional institutes. He additionally defended the authorities of Maharashtra in the Dabhol energy mission case. Other vital circumstances of his profession embody the Kudankulam nuclear plant, Rajiv Gandhi assassination, Italian marines, and FDI coverage. 

Vahanvati together with Steven Majied had been appointed by the International Cricket Council to look into the matter of racism in September 2004. It was for probing into the allegations associated to racist in the Zimbabwe cricket staff. Back then, Majied was serving as the choose at the Zimbabwe High Court. Then, in 2005, Vahanvati was the solo member of the setup of Single Member Commission for investigating the points of allegations of racial abuse that the South African cricketers skilled whereas touring Australia. There was little question in the incontrovertible fact that Vahanvati was a particularly trustworthy man who had aced the authorized system of the nation. 

A Man of Taste 

Counted amongst the pioneering attorneys of India, Vahanvati was recognized for his sharp thoughts and laborious work. The man dealt with greater than thirty circumstances each day and had an outstanding reminiscence. While he fought his circumstances, younger attorneys would head to the courtroom and hearken to him for hours. In a means, he had been an amazing instructor to a whole bunch of legislation aspirants, even with out him realizing. Apart from legislation, Vahanvati was passionate for quite a few different issues in life. He was in love with the 1950’s Cuban music and in his free time, you’ll discover him driving horses. He additionally boasted of a rock music assortment of Led Zeppelin together with Jim Morrison. The man was a die-hard lover of meals and he usually shared his fascinating meals recipes in quite a few magazines and newspaper columns. 

The Death of a Legend 

On September 2, 2014, India misplaced this genius to an enormous cardiac arrest. Vahanvati was 65 years previous and had been sick for round three months earlier than bidding farewell to the world. His demise shook so much of attorneys and legislation college students throughout the nation. The excellent lawyer left a deep gap of grief and loss which may by no means be healed once more.