'A Fearless & Independent Judge Who Enriched Legal Jurisprudence' : CJI Ramana Pays Homage To Late Justice RC Lahoti

"Justice Lahoti will always be remembered as a fearless independent judge, who enriched legal jurisprudence in this country until his last breath" the Chief Justice of India NV Ramana on Thursday said while condoling the death of Former Chief Justice of India Ramesh Chandra Lahoti who passed away Wednesday evening.

The Chief Justice further said that the entire legal fraternity has suffered a great loss with passing of Justice Lahoti.

"I express deepest condolences on my and on behalf of my brother and sister judges to his family and friends in this hour of grief. Regular reference will be held after dome time." CJI said

Senior Advocate Dushyant Dave, who was present in the court also took the opportunity to join the CJI on behalf of the Bar in paying homage to late Justice Lahoti.

"Justice Lahoti was one of the finest judges this court has had. The Bar will always remember him as a great judge", Mr Dave said

A one minute silence was observed in the Chief Justice's court to honour the memory of Justice Lahoti.

Justice Lahoti was a judge of the Supreme Court from September 12, 1998, to October 31, 2005. He was appointed as the Chief Justice of India on June 1, 2004. He retired on November 1, 2005.

Justice Lahoti was born on November 1, 1940, and he joined the Bar in District Guna in 1960 and enrolled as an Advocate in 1962. In April, 1977, he was recruited directly from the Bar to the State Higher Judicial Service and was appointed as a District & Sessions Judge.

After functioning as a District & Sessions Judge for a year, he resigned in May 1978 and reverted to the Bar for practice mainly in the High Court.

He was appointed Additional Judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court on May 3, 1988, and made a permanent Judge on August 4, 1989. He was transferred to Delhi High Court on February 7, 1994.