A sense of collective grief was palpable inside Delhi’s Parsi Cemetery, where members of the legal fraternity and others gathered to pay respects to the doyen of the Bar, Fali S Nariman.

Among those present at the burial site on a nippy Thursday morning were former Supreme Court and High Court judges, sitting judges, eminent lawyers, family members and friends.

While some of them made their way to the prayer hall, where Nariman’s mortal remains were kept before burial, others chose to stand or sit on the neatly arranged chairs outside.

The hall was full by the time prayers began at around 10 AM.

At around this time, some of the most prominent names in the field of law—all carrying with them floral bouquets and a deep sense of reverence—converged at the cemetery in honour of the great Indian jurist.

Among those who came to pay their respects were also former Chief Justice of India Justice UU Lalit, former Supreme Court Judges Justices Madan B Lokur, Swatanter Kumar, Adarsh Kumar Goel, Kurian Joseph and A K Sikri.

Also present were Delhi High Court Sitting judges, Acting Chief Justice Manmohan besides Justices Rajiv Shakder, Suresh Kait, Pratibha M Singh, Prateek Jalan and Anup Jairam Bhambhani.

Among prominent lawyers present were senior lawyers Kapil Sibal, Mukul Rohatgi, Arvind Datar, Maninder Singh, Pinky Anand, Sidharth Luthra, Huzefa Ahmadi, Shyam Divan, Madhavi Divan, Sanjay Hegde, Siddhartha Dave, Vivek Tankha and Vikas Pahwa . Former cabinet minister Subramanian Swamy and historian S Irfan Habib also came to pay their respects.

Soft murmurs discussed how Nariman was one of tallest figures in the India’s legal landscape, and also spoke of his humaneness and humility.

People could be heard talking about the unmatched legacy he leaves behind.

Former Jammu & Kashmir High Court Chief Justice Gita Mittal said that Nariman was an institution in himself. 

“Posterity will remember him not only for erudition and legal acumen, but also for his humility and simplicity apart from honesty and commitment to principles,” she said.

Senior Advocate Pinky Anand said that Fali (as he liked to be called) was one of the most delightful human beings.

“His razor-sharp intellect was intertwined with a photographic memory and a wit to boot. His mind was crystal clear and tinged with very grounded rules of life including his penning diligently his thoughts on paper in the Supreme Court library on his own. I have fond memories of him with us at the Harvard Langdell library quite a few years back, working with him and his generous warmth. We will miss him,” she said.

With prayers concluding after about an hour, Nariman’s mortal remains were brought out of the hall. By his side stood his son, former Supreme Court judge Rohinton Nariman, flanked by other attendees who marched from the prayer hall to the site of the burial.

Nariman was laid to rest at around 11:24 AM, near his friend, colleague and another stalwart from the legal fraternity, Soli Sorabjee.