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TP Kelu Nambiar was more than a lawyer, who demonstrated ‘total advocacy’ in all its fine facets. He was mild in his manners and strong in his arguments. Clarity had always been the greatest strength in his arguments. In Nambiar’s submissions, clarity always blended with boldness and a deep knowledge of law. His delivery has therefore been always effective.
When Kelu Nambiar presented an argument, he alleviated the Bar to the level of the Bench. Thus, he made a democratic dialogue possible between the Bench and the Bar. When he made legal submissions, he never begged for justice. On the other hand, he asserted for the legal position.
Constitutional expert H M Seervai has often held that “courage is the greatest virtue in advocacy, for without courage, there is no truth.”
Kelu Nambiar has been courageous enough in his duties as a lawyer. When a Division Bench required the presence of the Chief Secretary of the state in a contempt case, the official was asked to remain standing at the back of the court hall. Nambiar, who was appearing in the case, reminded the Bench of its duty to provide a chair for the executive of the state who in Nambiar’s view was only a guest at the court, even though he was a respondent in the case.
Nambiar had not only the knowledge but also a clear understanding of the constitutional scheme.
He had vast forensic experience in his career as a lawyer. Nambiar can be described as a three-in-one. He was a good lawyer, teacher and an author. His miscellany published by the Kerala Bar Council is a good reading material for the generation of lawyers to come.
Nambiar was the standing counsel for the Public Service Commission and had also appeared in various constitutional and public bodies. Also, he has appeared for government cooperatives like KELTRON.
His integrity was unquestionable and he had always kept the decorum of the profession. When a Minister requested him to meet him at the guest house in connection with a case pending before the Kerala High Court, Nambiar made his stand clear by telling the Minister that “the client should meet the lawyer in the latter’s office and not vice-versa”.
Nambiar had an excellent command over English.
His articles appeared not only in law journals but in leading newspapers, including the New Indian Express. He was a true guru for the lawyers and layman alike.
My personal indebtedness to Nambiar is enormous and the same needs to be acknowledged. The state has a lot to learn from Nambiar’s illustrious career.
His demise is a shocking blow to the legal profession and to the court as a democratic institution.
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