Farewell Soli Sorabjee, my good friend, counsel, thinker

Written by Ranjit Malhotra
It is tough to explain such an iconic character. It is tough to imagine he’s gone. I nonetheless bear in mind his heat smile, the twinkle in his eyes the final I met him on his birthday celebrations at India International Centre (IIC) in March this 12 months. His sense of humour was glowing until the tip. Every assembly had a studying curve and you may at all times flip to him for smart counsel. He was a really affectionate particular person, however he by no means hesitated to talk his thoughts. It was both black or white.
Over the years, each time my elder brother Anil and I went to Delhi, which was very often, we might meet him at IIC. It was his second house, the place he held a room (No 42) as its life trustee, strictly on cost, even after remitting the workplace as its president.
Last 12 months in February, I gifted him a replica of the simply launched Festschrift in Honour of Nani A. Palkhivala. He was thrilled to see it. I additionally learn out Mr Palkhivala’s letter written to him on assuming the workplace of Attorney General. The 31-year-old missive introduced tears to his eyes. I’ve seen him so overcome with feelings.
It was enjoyable to journey with him, particularly abroad. There was no place on the map he hadn’t visited. He knew central London just like the again of his hand. One of his favorite haunts was “Daunt Books,” on Marylebone High Street. He cherished the chimes on the entrance of Selfridges. Flooded with invitations from eminent jurists, he would go nicely armed to the UK together with his Harris tweed cap and jacket, as additionally the muffler. And yearly, he would organise dinner on the Royal Overseas League, the IIC of central London. Though he loved Scottish shortbread, the Shrewsbury biscuits from the legendary Kayani bakery have been his all-time favorite together with his cup of espresso. I bear in mind after I went to Ho Chi Minh metropolis for a convention in 2016, he instructed me to get prawn crackers.
Our travels have been dotted with recollections. In September 2007, Sorabjee, a Senior Judge of the Supreme Court and I travelled to Nairobi to attend the Commonwealth Lawyers Conference. An overzealous protocol officer from the Indian embassy, who acquired the Hon’ble Judge, grabbed his passport and disappeared for the following hour. Sorabjee was in splits, telling the decide that he was stateless.
Once once we have been on the Hague to attend the International Law Association convention in 2010, he fell unwell. But no matter his well being, he ensured his vibrant participation. I nonetheless bear in mind how once we returned to Delhi, he patiently awaited my baggage on the carousel although his had arrived earlier with enterprise class passengers, after which instructed Yadav, his trusted driver and handyman, to drop me at IIC.
Until very just lately, he visited IIC nearly day-after-day. The employees there have been immeasurably keen on him. A go to to IIC with out visiting his room 42 was unthinkable. He loved the updates and the sunshine banter. Whenever we met at totally different locations at totally different durations in his life, we might at all times choose up threads of uninterrupted recollections from the previous. The final time I met him earlier than his birthday at Room No 42 in IIC, he jogged my memory that he hadn’t been to Chandigarh for a very long time. He cherished visiting Chandigarh and staying on the Taj, which pampered him. When late Mr. H.L. Sibal was alive, my elder brother Anil would drive Sorabjee down for a sundowner with him. And the 2 would discuss solely about Lahore.
The void by his departure can by no means be stuffed. Our grief will solely enhance with time. He was a fatherly determine, a good friend, thinker, and sage counsel to all related to him. I’ll deeply miss him.
The writer (ranjitmalhotra1966@gmail.com) just lately contributed a chapter within the Festschrift launched in honour of Mr. Soli J. Sorabjee on 9 March.