Justice Aziz Mushabber Ahmadi, former Chief Justice of India, passed way today morning at the ge of 91. He was the 26th Chief Justice of India.

Born on 25 March 1932 in Surat in a Dawoodi Bohra family, Justice Ahmadi began practice in 1954 at the age of 22. Justice Ahmadi was the son of a junior civil judge and spent a large part of his early years living in various districts and talukas.  Subsequent to being appointed as a Judge in th City Civil & Sessions Court at Ahmedabad,  he was appointed to the Gujarat High Court 1976. He was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1988 and then elevated to the chair of Chief Justice of India from 25 October 1994 – 24 March 1997.  He also served as Vcie Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University.  Justice Ahmadi was a sought-after arbitrator in high value domestic as well as international arbitration matters. In the Supreme Court, Justice Ahmadi authored 232 judgements and was a part of 811 benches.

"The country simply cannot afford to have a certain percentage of population unable to contribute to the country's development" - Justice AM Ahmadi

Ahmadi also continued to speak out for Muslim rights in India, himself being a Muslim. He remained active in Indian politics as an advocate of minority rights, latterly through a book entitled A Guide To Uplift Minorities. Putting emphasis on education, Ahmadi frequently mentioned that the vast Muslim population of India struggled to put children in school. He encouraged federal and state governments to solve this problem. During his stint with the Supreme Court, he was President of the Supreme Court Legl Aid Committee in 1989 nd Executive Chairman of the Committee for Implementing Legal Aid Schemes in India from 1990 to 1994

As judge of the Gujarat High Court, Ahmadi worked as chairman of various advisory boards for:

• Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities
• Prevention of Black Marketing
• Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities.

Justice Ahmadi was a felicitated jurist not only in India but across the world. He was invited by various international organisations, including UNO and World Bank to lead special projects. He was the recipient of honors from highly reputable legal institutions such as American Inn of Laws and Middle Temple Inn of Honorable Society of Middle Temple, London.

Did not shy away from complex decisions

AM Ahmadi, who followed the path of principles, did not avoid even controversial decisions. He expressed his disagreement with the judges. Wrote a separate judgment in Bommai's case. Pronounced the midnight verdict against the murderers of General Vaidya and termed as unconstitutional a decision related to the acquisition of some area in the Ayodhya Act. Apart from being one of the longest serving Chief Justices of India, he also headed various commissions and contributed to his contribution by remaining active in the field of arbitration till his last breath.

Apart from receiving the degree of Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) from six of the most reputable Indian universities, he was the author of numerous path breaking judgements. His expertise was wide ranging from constitutional law to human rights, freedom of speech, criminal, taxation, centre-state and interstate relations. He was also the Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University.

Sources: Wikipedia, BarAndBench, LiveLaw