IOS condoles sad demise of Justice A.M. Ahmadi, former Chief Justice of India

IOS condoles sad demise of Justice A.M. Ahmadi, former Chief Justice of India

New Delhi, March 2: With immense grief and sorrow, Dr. Mohammad Manzoor Alam, Chairman, Institute of Objective Studies, New Delhi, offers his deep condolences on the sad demise of Justice Aziz Mushabber Ahmadi (A.M. Ahmadi), former Chief Justice of India, who passed away today morning at New Delhi, after a prolonged illness. Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajewoon!

Justice A.M. Ahmadi, born on 25 March 1932 at Surat, Gujarat, was the 26th Chief Justice of India. After serving as a judge in the Gujarat High Court, he was appointed judge to the Supreme Court in 1988. He was then elevated to the post of Chief Justice of India, and served from 1994 to 1997.  He was the third Muslim ever to serve as Chief Justice of India. He served as Chancellor at the Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh for two terms. He was one of the most sought after arbitrator in high value domestic as well as international arbitration matters.

He was conferred with the Degree of Doctor of Law (Honoris Causa), by six different Indian universities, as well as University of Leicester, England. He was Honorary Member of the American Inn of Laws (1995),  Honorary Master & Bencher of the Middle Temple Inn of the Honorary Society of Middle Temple, London (1996), Member of the ICJ delegation to Liberia for reform in Judicial System, World Bank Consultant for judicial reforms in Bangladesh, nominated member of the UN of the Inquiry Committee for Human Rights violations in East Timor etc.

“Justice Ahmadi Saheb was my mentor, guide and philosopher, who always guided and supported me. I have lost a great mentor, and a renowned judicial expert”, Dr. Alam said. He used to call me at his residence frequently to discuss various matters related to Muslim community and society, He further said.

Justice Ahmadi was deeply associated with the Institute of Objective Studies, and was one of its Patrons. He was the Trustee of Ta’awun Trust, and Patron of All India Milli Council. He was the recipient of the First IOS Lifetime Achievement Award conferred on him for his extraordinary contributions in the field of law and judiciary in the year 2007. He patronaged the Institute in successfully organising several international and national conferences. The Institute published his book Flow of Thoughts: Selected Speeches, Lectures and Writings of Justice A.M. Ahmadi. He was also a member of the Consultative Council of the IOS bi-annual journal Religion & Law Review.

May Allah (S.W.T) accept all his good deeds, bless him with the choicest place in the heaven and grant sabr to all in the grieved family to bear this loss. Aameen.

Institute of Objective Studies, New Delhi (India)