Senior advocate Manohar Lal Sharma, a familiar figure in the Supreme Court known for filing several high-profile public interest cases, passed away on December 19 at the age of 69.
Sharma gained national recognition as the petitioner in the coal block allocation case, which ultimately resulted in the Supreme Court cancelling hundreds of coal block allotments and laying down important principles on transparency in public resource distribution. Over the years, he continued to approach the apex court on a range of politically and socially significant issues.
Apart from his work in public interest litigation, Sharma was also known for representing one of the convicts in the 2012 Nirbhaya gang rape case, a role that drew widespread attention and criticism. His involvement in the case made him a subject of intense public debate.
Throughout his legal career, Sharma frequently filed petitions on matters such as defence procurement, surveillance, and constitutional changes. While some of his petitions were dismissed, his persistence ensured that several issues remained in public and judicial discourse.
ML Sharma’s passing brings to a close a controversial yet impactful legal journey marked by his willingness to engage with sensitive and high-stakes issues before the country’s highest court.
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