Featured BiographyImage source: StarsUnfolded
Quick Info
Date of birth14 September 1923
Age95 Years (at time of death)
BirthplaceShikharpur, British India (now Pakistan)
ProfessionLawyer, Jurist, Politician, Philanthropist, Entrepreneur
NationalityIndian
Marital statusMarried
FamilyTwo sons (Mahesh, Janak - deceased) and two daughters (Rani, Shobha)
Net worth64.82 Crores INR (as in 2016)
Ram Jethmalani Biography
Ram Boolchand Jethmalani was a high-profile Indian lawyer, jurist and politician known for a long and combative public life. He served as Union Minister of
Early life and backgroundRam Boolchand Jethmalani was born on 14 September 1923 in Shikharpur, then part of British India (now in Pakistan). Raised in a Sindhi Hindu family, he completed school at a young age and pursued legal studies at S.C. Shahani Law College in Karachi before moving to Bombay for further qualifications at Bombay University. He earned both a Bachelor of Laws and a Master of Law from Bombay University.
Jethmalani began his legal career in Karachi, where he started a practice and opened a firm with a senior colleague. After communal violence in 1948, he left Pakistan and arrived in India as a refugee, spending time in refugee camps in Bombay. Despite already holding a law degree and having practiced for several years, he requalified at Bombay University to continue his career in India.
Career
Jethmalani built a reputation as a formidable advocate and a vocal public figure. He served in prominent positions within the legal community, including multiple tenures as chairman of the Bar Council of India and as president of the Supreme Court Bar Association. He also worked as a part-time professor at Government Law College in 1954, teaching graduate and postgraduate students.
His political career spanned decades and multiple roles. He first contested parliamentary elections in 1971 from Ulhasnagar as an independent candidate with support from regional parties. He retained a parliamentary seat in 1980 but lost in 1985. In 1988 he became a Member of the Rajya Sabha. The central government appointed him Union Minister of Law, Justice and Company Affairs in 1996. During the late 1990s he held portfolios that included Urban Affairs and Employment and was again assigned the Law, Justice and Company Affairs ministry in October 1999 under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s administration.
Jethmalani continued to contest elections and remain active in national politics. In 2004 he ran as an independent candidate from the Lucknow Lok Sabha constituency, challenging Atal Bihari Vajpayee, but did not win. In 2010 the Bharatiya Janata Party gave him a Rajya Sabha ticket from Rajasthan and he returned to the Upper House. In May 2013 he was expelled from the BJP for six years after making remarks that the party characterized as anti-party. Later, the Rashtriya Janata Dal nominated him to the Rajya Sabha from Bihar. Earlier in his political journey he had also been associated with Pavitra Hindustan Kazhagam in 1995 and had contested elections with support from the Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Jana Sangh.
Public profile
Jethmalani’s public image combined his courtroom prominence with outspoken commentary on legal and political matters. He received international recognition in the form of awards such as the International Jurist Award and the World Peace Through Law Award. Known for direct and often provocative statements, he sometimes drew controversy for forthright opinions on foreign policy and bilateral relations.
Physically, his listed height was approximately 165 cm (about 5'5") and weight around 65 kg. He was reported to have black eyes and white hair in later years. He maintained an active lifestyle into advanced age and enjoyed playing badminton as a hobby.
Personal life
Jethmalani was married and had a family that included two sons and two daughters. His sons were Mahesh Jethmalani, who practiced as an advocate, and Janak Jethmalani, who predeceased him. His daughters were named Rani and Shobha. His parents were Boolchand Gurmukhdas Jethmalani and Parbati Boolchand. He listed Karachi as his hometown and maintained an address in New Delhi.
Later years and death
Ram Jethmalani remained a public figure well into his nineties. He passed away on 8 September 2019 at his official residence in New Delhi after a prolonged illness, at the age of 95.
Latest updates
At the time of his death, listings of his professional earnings and assets appeared in public records; a 2016 figure estimated his net worth at 64.82 crore INR. His long career left a mark on India’s legal and political institutions through both his service in ministerial roles and his leadership positions in bar bodies.
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Recent Work
Served as Union Minister of Law, Justice and Company Affairs (1996 and again in October 1999); held the Urban Affairs and Employment portfolio in 1998; Member of Rajya Sabha (multiple terms).
1996-1999Career Highlights
- Chairman of the Bar Council of India (multiple tenures)
- President of the Supreme Court Bar Association
- Union Minister of Law, Justice and Company Affairs
- Union Minister for Urban Affairs and Employment
- Multiple terms as Member of Parliament, including the Rajya Sabha
Net Worth
Figures are editorial estimates based on publicly available reporting and may change as new information emerges.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When was Ram Jethmalani born?
Ram Jethmalani was born on 14 September 1923.
What is Ram Jethmalani known for?
Ram Jethmalani is known for lawyer, Jurist, Politician, Philanthropist, Entrepreneur.
What is Ram Jethmalani’s marital status?
Ram Jethmalani's marital status is listed as Married.
What is Ram Jethmalani’s net worth?
Ram Jethmalani's net worth is commonly listed as 64.82 Crores INR (as in 2016), based on available public profile information.
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