Ram Jethmalani Biography: Life, Legal Career, Family and Achievements
Quick Info →
Age:
95 Years
Religion:
Sindhi Hindu
Death Date:
08/09/2019
Bio/Wiki
| Full Name | Ram Boolchand Jethmalani |
| Profession | Lawyer, Jurist, Politician, Professor and Author |
| Famous For | famous for being one of India's most brilliant, fearless, and highest-paid criminal defense lawyers, as well as a prominent political firebrand |
| Death Date | 8 September 2019 |
| Death Cause | Prolonged illness |
| Death Place | New Delhi |
Physical Stats & More
| Eye colour | Black |
| Hair Colour | White |
| Height | 5' 5" (165 cm) |
| Weight | 65 Kg |
Career
| Career Journey | Early Career: Started practising law in Karachi and moved to Bombay after Partition, where he rebuilt his legal career. Legal Career: Became a renowned criminal lawyer and handled several high-profile cases. Bar Leadership: Served as Chairman of the Bar Council of India for four terms and President of the Supreme Court Bar Association. Political Entry: Won the 1977 Lok Sabha election from Mumbai and was re-elected in 1980. Union Minister: Served as Law & Justice Minister and Urban Development Minister under Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Rajya Sabha: Served as a Rajya Sabha member for several terms and remained active in Parliament until his death in 2019. Retirement: Announced his retirement from legal practice in 2017, after a career spanning several decades. |
| Awards & Achievements | Human Rights Award (1977): Honoured by World Peace Through Law for his contribution to human rights. International Jurist Award: Recognised for his contribution to the legal profession. BCI Vidhi Ratna Award (2023): Posthumously honoured by the Bar Council of India for his distinguished contribution to law. Bar Council Leadership: Served as Chairman of the Bar Council of India for four terms. Supreme Court Bar Association: Served as its President and remained a prominent figure in Indian law. |
Personal Life
| Date of Birth | 14 September 1923 |
| Age | 95 years (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Shikarpur, Sindh, British India (now Pakistan) |
| Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Religion | Hindu |
| Educational Qualification | School: Sindh Model High School, Sukkur - Law Education: S.C. Shahani Law College, Karachi - Higher Education: University of Bombay (now University of Mumbai) |
| Controversies | Emergency: He strongly opposed the 1975 Emergency and faced an arrest warrant. High-Profile Cases: His defence of controversial accused often attracted public criticism. Political Differences: He was known for openly criticising political leaders, including those within his own political circles. |
Relationships & More
| Marital Status | Married |
Family
| Wife/Spouse | Durga Jethmalani and Ratna Shahani |
| Father | Boolchand Gurmukhdas Jethmalani |
| Mother | Parbati Boolchand |
| Children | Mahesh Jethmalani, Janak Jethmalani, Rani Jethmalani and Shobha Jethmalani |
Favourites
| Hobby | Playing Badminton |
| Food | Sai bhaaji, Ice cream |
Money Factor
| Net Worth (approx) | ₹64.82 crore |
Some Lesser Known Facts
- Youngest law graduate: He completed his LL.B. at just 17 and challenged the minimum-age rule to become a lawyer. He eventually received permission to enrol at 18.
- Won his own first case: As a teenager, Jethmalani argued his own case before the Sindh court regarding his eligibility to practise law. His argument succeeded and changed the situation in his favour.
- Started in Karachi: Before Partition, he began practising law in Karachi and established a law firm with A.K. Brohi. Brohi later became Pakistan’s Law Minister.
- Arrived in India as a refugee: Partition forced him to leave Karachi and move to Bombay. He initially lived in a refugee camp after arriving in India.
- Saw Jinnah in court: During his youth in Sindh, Jethmalani witnessed Muhammad Ali Jinnah arguing a case.
- Fought for refugees: After Partition, he challenged the Bombay Refugees Act in the Bombay High Court. He successfully fought for the rights of refugees through the case.
- Began teaching law: He became a part-time professor at Government Law College, Mumbai, in 1954. He later also taught comparative law at Wayne State University in the United States.
- Served as Bar Council chairman: Jethmalani served as Chairman of the Bar Council of India for four terms. He also became President of the Supreme Court Bar Association.
- Nanavati case connection: He became widely known after his involvement in the famous K.M. Nanavati case in 1959. Justice Y.V. Chandrachud was also associated with the case.
- Entered politics after a loss: His first election contest came in 1971 from Ulhasnagar, but he lost as an independent candidate. He later entered the Lok Sabha in 1977.
- Authored several books: Besides practising law, he wrote books including Conflict of Laws, Big Egos and Small Men and Conscience of a Maverick.
- Practised law for decades: Jethmalani had a legal career spanning roughly 78 years, continuing his professional work until shortly before his death in 2019.
