Jump to content

M. C. Setalvad

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Bornikc (talk | contribs) at 14:21, 26 August 2020 (Added Link). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

M. C. Setalvad
Attorney General for India
In office
28 January 1950 – 1 March 1963
Chairman, 1st Law Commission of India
In office
1955–1958
Personal details
Born
Motilal Chimanlal Setalvad
NationalityIndian
ParentChimanlal Harilal Setalvad (Member of Hunter Committee which was formed to investigate Jallianwala Bagh Massacre)
RelativesTeesta Setalvad(grand daughter)
OccupationLawyer
Known forIndia's first Attorney General.

Motilal Chimanlal Setalvad (c. 1884 – 1974) was an eminent Indian jurist, who became the first and longest serving Attorney General for India (1950–1963).[1] He also remained the Chairman of the Law Commission of India#First Law Commission|First]] Law Commission of India (1955–1958), which is mandated for legal reform in the country by Government of India. He became the first Chairman of the Bar Council of India in 1961.[2]

He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian honour by Government of India in 1957.[3]

Biography

The son of noted lawyer Sir Chimanlal Harilal Setalvad, M. C. Setalvad was brought up in Bombay. He studied at Government Law College, Mumbai.

He started practicing law in Bombay and eventually became Advocate General of Bombay and Attorney General for India in 1950, in the formative years of Government of India, under Jawaharlal Nehru.

He appeared for the government in a host of important and, at times, controversial cases. He was also involved with the Radcliffe Tribunal for demarcation of the India-Pakistan border and several UN proceedings on Kashmir. He chaired the first Law Commission of independent India, in which capacity he not just advised the government on crucial reforms and legislation but also created a framework for the Commissions’ future functioning.[4]

He died in 1974.[5]

Personal life

His son, Atul Setalvad (25 October 1933 - 22 July 2010)[6] was a Mumbai-based lawyer and his daughter-in-law Sita Setalvad, a rural crafts exponent, while his granddaughter, Teesta Setalvad, is a journalist, activist and educationist.[7]

Bibliography

  • My life; law and other things, 1970.
  • Motilal Chimanlal Setalvad (1968). Bhulabhai Desai. Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.

References