<span style="color: #222222;">Noted lawyer and former Union Minister Ram Jethmalani passed away at his residence in New Delhi this morning. He was 95.<br />''<br />''Jethmalani a sitting Member of the Rajya Sabha, was ill for some time due to age-related ailments. He was cremated at Lodhi Road crematorium in New Delhi today.<br />'' <br />'' The President, the Vice President and the Prime Minister have expressed grief over the demise of Ram Jethmalani.<br />'' <br />'' In a tweet, President Ram Nath Kovind said, the nation has lost a distinguished jurist, a person of great erudition and intellect. He said, Jethmalani was known to express his views on public issues with his characteristic eloquence.<br />'' <br />'' Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said, the nation has lost a distinguished jurist, a great intellectual and a patriot, who was active till his last breath. Mr Naidu said, he has lost a dear friend with whom he had a very long association both as Minister and as a member of Parliament.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Prime Minister Narendra Modi today paid last respects to veteran lawyer and former Union Minister Ram Jethmalani at his residence in New Delhi. The former Minister passed away this morning at the age of 95. The Prime Minister expressed condolences to the family members of  Jethmalani.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Earlier, in  a tweet, Mr Modi said, India has lost an exceptional lawyer and iconic public figure who made rich contributions both in the Court and Parliament. He said, Jethmalani was witty, courageous and never shied away from boldly expressing himself on any subject. The Prime Minister said, one of the best aspects of Mr Jethmalani was the ability to speak his mind and, he did so without any fear. Mr Modi said, during the dark days of the Emergency, his fortitude and fight for public liberties will be remembered.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) condoled the demise of senior lawyer and former Union minister Ram Jethmalani. The association described him as its illustrious member and a doyen of criminal law. He served as SCBA president in 2010.SCBA president Rakesh Khanna said Jethmalani was a stalwart of the Indian Bar and a lawyer par excellence. He further said that Jethmalani's legacy would be etched in the memories of legal fraternity forever. Jethmalani joined the bar at the age of 17 and earned the distinction of being the youngest advocate allowed to practice law.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Union Minister Nitin Gadkari also condoled the demise of former Union Minister and eminent jurist Ram Jethmalani. Speaking on the sidelines of an event arranged in Nagpur today, Mr Gadkari said,  Ram Jethmalani was staunch opponent of emergency. The Minister said, Jethmalani's contribution to nation's legal sector can't be forgotten.<br />''</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis also condoled the death of eminent jurist and former Union Minister Ram Jethmalani. In his condolence message, Mr Fadanvis said that the nation has lost a distinguished solicitor. The Chief Minister said, his work in judiciary, social services and politics was distinctive.</span><br />''