Thread by @LawBeatInd

#supremecourtofindia to hold a full court reference in memory of the late Mr.Ashok Desai and the late Mr. Soli Sorabjee. Both Mr.Desai and Mr.Sorabjee were former Attorney Generals of India. Mr.Desai passed on in April 202, while Mr.Sorabjee passed on in April 2021

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AG: Desai retired from on 6th May 98. He is the only AG to have been invited by President of India for dinner with only 4 attendees. In 1972 he defended Vijay Tendulkar’s play, his efforts lead to striking down of censorship law in Maharashtra.

AG: He appeared in a case challenging the criminalisation of homosexuality in Navjot Singh. He read voraciously and followed Buddhism. He is dearly missed. His efforts will resonates for generations to come. His memories gives us comfort to accept his departure

Soli is one of the greats. He wore many hats! Soli and I became friends in 79, he and I were both ASG. When I came to Delhi, I was staying alone, Soli knowing that I staying alone would invite me for elaborate dinners. I believe that being the solitary ASG, he was under pressure

The government appointed a 2nd ASG on his request and that was me. Soli was among the most gifted advocates. His oratorical skills left judges no option to accept his preposition.

We worked on Minerva Mills together. S V Gupte was the AG then. Soli was stranger to no law. Decisions like SR Bommai changed the jurisprudence forever. In Mohinder Singh Gill Justice Krishna Iyer was all in praise of Soli. Soli was also a prolific writer.

Soli offered his services pro-bono to prisoners of MISA. He had strong convictions about tolerance.”Tolerance cannot be legislated, we must develop a capacity for it.” His view was that tolerance is the foremost fundamental duty.

He encouraged junior members of the bar and never uttered a harsh word. While there is much to admire about him no tribute to Soli would be complete without his love for Jazz. He dies shy of a few months before his 91st birthday.

Generations of lawyers will tell stories of Soli in years to come

Vikas Singh, Sr.Adv: Mr.Desai was known as Ashobai by his friends. He studied at FC in Pune and graduated from GLC Bombay. He later joined the LSE, he was invited on a study visit to China.

He loved literature, poetry and philosophy. He appeared in a large number of cases in Bombay HC and SC. It is of little surprise that he fought for the vulnerable : Singh

It is common these days powerful politicians had to resign for corruption but his PIL lead AR. Tantule had to resign. From 63-69 he was the legal correspondent for @timesofindia : Singh

He moved to Delhi in 1989, he then became AG in from 1996-98. His doors were open to poor as well. In 1990 he was the consultant to the commonwealth workshop: Singh

He fought for the LGBTQ community. In 2001 he was awarded Padma Bhushan. His legal astuteness was ably complimented was his commitment to community. He said “If you over celebrate of wins, you will have to over mourn for losses.” : Singh

Soli lived a truly remarkable life. A stalwart warrior of humanity, we lost him to COVID. He practiced till the end : Singh

He was part of several landmark cases, he was never drawn towards the glamour of affluence : Singh

During the emergency he provided legal assistance to prisoners of MISA despite being threatened with the possibility of imprisonment : Singh

He defended the freedom of press in many landmark cases, including Shreya Singhal. He served as AG twice. He was appointed by UN to Nigeria to take stock of situation : Singh

The genial Mr.Sorabjee lived his life to the fullest. He loved music and developed an abiding passion for Jazz. He was often able to be humorous in the court : Singh

His life mirrors out his ambition to guard the fortress of fundamental rights in India : Singh

CJI: It would be difficult to describe the work and achievements of these legends.

Desai was passionate about law and journalism. He was one of the few advocates to be the SG and AG: CJI

I had the opportunity to brief Desai during my days as a young lawyer , he was always composed. He always took care of his juniors : CJI

CJI: Soli’s outspoken are all well known. He made an indelible mark on the jurisprudence of this country. He was a renowned international lawyer. He represented GOI before ICJ. I briefed him a few, the briefing was different. He had read the file, it was over in 5 minutes

He lived his love on his own terms: CJI