Reacting to the Government of India’s decision to appoint him solicitor general of India on July 23, 2011 senior advocate Rohinton Nariman stated: "My endeavor would be to represent the government in court to the best of my ability.” The Harvard educated 55-year-old who assumed charge on July 25 spoke to The Sunday Express after confirming that he had been informed about the government’s decision to appoint him as the second senior-most law officer of the land after the attorney general. He was selected for the post over several noted senior advocates, the national newspapers mentioned on July 24.
Rohinton Nariman: representing the government
Earlier in his career Nariman, who specializes in corporate law, had assisted Nani Palkhivala during a month-long hearing in the Minerva Mills case. The Supreme Court’s 1980 verdict in the case expanded the basic structure doctrine, holding as inviolable the Court’s judicial review power, reported The Times of India (TOI). More recently Nariman handled the gas sharing dispute between the warring Ambani brothers, Mukesh and Anil, where he argued along with former solicitor general Harish N. Salve, mentions Daily News and Analysis.
The son of illustrious constitutional lawyer and former assistant solicitor general Fali Nariman, Rohinton has the distinction of having been designated senior advocate at the age of 36 by the Supreme Court, without having to apply for it. When queried by TOI on his appointment, Rohinton responded that the "solicitor general’s post is a good thing that has come my way. But I do not think I have outshone my father. There is no such thing.”