Advertisement

Updated November 24th, 2020 at 14:55 IST

Harish Salve to the rescue: Petitioner seeks help in SC; Senior Adv offers it pro bono

Senior Advocate Harish Salve has agreed to appear for the wife of a retired Army officer pro-bono after she requested the Apex Court to appoint him amicus

Reported by: Jay Pandya
Harish Salve
| Image:self
Advertisement

On Tuesday, the wife of a retired Army officer appeared before the Supreme Court as a petitioner and pleaded for the appointment of an Amicus curiae citing that she did not have money for a lawyer. The petitioner informed the top court that her daughter is struggling for a living in London and requested if Senior Advocate Harish Salve can be appointed as amicus?

In response, the legal eagle agreed to appear for the petitioner not as an amicus but as a lawyer. When the Chief Justice of India asked Harish Salve about it, he responded by saying, "I will appear as the lawyer. Not amicus..don't worry about fine. It's pro bono" to which the petitioner exclaimed 'Truth always wins'. An amicus curiae is someone who is not a party to a case but assists a court by offering information, expertise, or insight that has a bearing on the issues in the case. 

'When you believe in a case you do it pro bono'

Harish Salve's kind gesture comes weeks after he appeared for Republic Media Network's Editor-in-Chief  Arnab Goswami before the Supreme Court without charging a single rupee for it.

"I must place on record, my deepest personal and professional gratitude for the legal colossus. One of India's foremost jurists Mr Harish Salve, who fought with all his heart and knowledge for me. I am deeply grateful. We owe deep gratitude to Harish Salve. I don't know how many of you all know this but Mr Harish Salve does not charge us even one rupee for any of his valuable appearances for the court. He appears pro-bono for us. That is something I can't even express my gratitude and thanks for," said Arnab after he was granted bail by the top court earlier this month. 

READ | ED team raids Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik’s residence; searches ongoing at 10 locations

READ | PM Modi chairs Covid review with CMs of 8 worst-hit states; Kejriwal contends 'pollution'

The former Solicitor General of India had also memorably taken up Kulbhushan Jadhav's case 'pro bono' (free of charge) while representing India at the International Court of Justice. On being asked about charging Re 1 as the fee for fighting the case, Salve had said he took the case "pro bono" as he believed in it. "When you believe in the case you do it pro bono and this was such a case. Government of India sought advice from me at the initial stage after which I researched the case and gave my advice," he said. His arguments and representation on India and Kulbhushan Jadhav's behalf have gone a long way to ensuring that Pakistan was humbled at the ICJ and a stay was issued on the death sentence awarded to Jadhav by a Pak military court.

READ | BJP will form govt in Maharashtra in next 3 months; waiting for...: Union minister Danve

READ | Why Netanyahu's 'secret' meet with Saudi Crown Prince MBS is a warning call for Iran

Advertisement

Published November 24th, 2020 at 14:55 IST

Your Voice. Now Direct.

Send us your views, we’ll publish them. This section is moderated.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending Quicks

Zomato delivery boy in tears over blocked account
11 minutes ago
Delhi: Man Arrested For Killing A Man During Pub Fight In Pitampura Bar
11 minutes ago
Congress Press Conference
12 minutes ago
L&T Shipbuilding facility
19 minutes ago
RCB vs KKR
20 minutes ago
Pooja Vastrakar
21 minutes ago
Crew posters
an hour ago
Big Communication Gap Within the Congress: Sanjay Nirupam Targets Party Leadership | EXCLUSIVE
an hour ago
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Whatsapp logo