Politicians,lawyers attend ex-CJIs funeral

The last rites of former Chief Justice of India J S Verma,who recently headed a panel to propose a tougher law for crimes against women,was performed on Tuesday,with top political leaders and lawyers paying their final respects.

The funeral pyre was lit by Vermas grandson,Amirudh,at the Lodhi Crematorium where former Solicitor General Gopal Subramanian,a close associate,joined in performing the last rites. Verma,80,is survived by wife Pushpa and two daughters,Shubra and Rashmi. He died on Monday night at Medanta Medicity hospital where he was admitted on Friday following liver problems and bleeding in stomach.

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi,senior BJP leaders L K Advani and Arun Jaitley,Union Minister S Jaipal Reddy,CPI(M)s Brinda Karat,JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav,Prime Ministers Adviser T K A Nair,prominent lawyers Ram Jethmalani and Prashant Bhushan and actress Dia Mirza were among those who attended the cremation.

Verma is one of the exceptional judges I knew in my life who was known for his boldness and uprightness, Advani told reporters.