DEATH OF HIRA LALL SIBAL: CM and Capt Amarinder mourn

Chandigarh, December 29, 2012: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today expressed profound grief and sorrow over the sad demise of the father of Union Communications Minister Kapil Sibal and a noted lawyer Hira Lall Sibal (98), who passed away here at Chandigarh this morning after a prolonged illness.

In a condolence message, the Chief Minister described Hira Lall Sibal as a legal luminary and eminent jurist besides an able administrator with the rare qualities of head and heart, who was bestowed with prestigious Padam Bhushan and Punjab Rattan award for the distinguished services rendered by him in the arena of law and jurisprudence. Recalling the outstanding services of  Sibal as a renowned lawyer, who practiced both at Punjab and Haryana High Court and Supreme Court of India for over five decades, Badal said that a void has been created in the legal fraternity which was difficult to be filled in near future.

He said Sibal as an Advocate General of Punjab also left an indelible impression of his farsightedness, legal acumen and forthright approach in this august office. The Chief Minister termed the passing away of Sibal as a personal loss adding that he had warm ties with the Sibal family over past many years.   

Sharing his heartfelt sympathies with the members of the bereaved family, the Chief Minister prayed to the Almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and give strength to the family, relatives and friends to bear this irreplaceable loss.

Meanwhile, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Capt Amarinder Singh has also condoled the death of legal luminary Hira Lal Sibal, the father of union minister Kapil Sibal and former foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal.

In his condolence message to the bereaved family, Capt Amarinder said, he had known late Sibal for a long time and his contribution to the legal field was unparalleled. He said, in his death not only Punjab but the country has lost an eminent and distinguished jurist.