Veteran criminal lawyer and former Union Law Minister Ram Jethmalani passed away on Sunday. Jethmalani was 95 and took his last breath early on Sunday at his New Delhi residence, confirmed advocate Asish Dixit. Jethmalani was a six time Rajya Sabha member and served as a Union Mnister in the United Front and NDA governments. He joined the BJP-led NDA ministry in 1998 and then again in October 1999. However, he quit the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government in July 2000. He had also served as the Minister of Urban Development in Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government.

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In 2010, he was elected as the president of the Supreme Court Bar Association. Jethmalani has obtained a law degree when he was just 17 and started practising in Karachi until the partition, says his official website. After the partition, he moved to Bombay and started a fresh life with his family. 

During his long career as a lawyer, Jethmalani was involved in defending several high-profile cases of corruption and scams involving several top politicians, including RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal among others. After the news of his death came out, several leaders paid their tribute to the veteran lawyer.

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"Extremely saddened at the passing away of legendary lawyer Ram Jethmalani ji. An institution in himself, he shaped criminal law in post-independence India. His void would never be filled and his name will be written in golden words in legal history. RIP Ram sir," Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted.

Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad also tweeted his tribute. "Deeply condole the passing away of the veteran lawyer and former Law Minister Ram Jethmalani. His brilliance, eloquence, powerful advocacy and sound understanding of law will remain a worthy example in legal profession. My profound condolences," he wrote.