Vanshika Bhalla
BITS Law School, in collaboration with Surana & Surana International Attorneys (SSIA), conferred the inaugural Fali Nariman Memorial Award upon Arvind P. Datar for his immense contributions to the legal field spanning over four decades on February 19, 2025. The event, held at BITS Pilani’s Mumbai Campus, brought together distinguished legal professionals, faculty, and students.
The award honors the legacy of Sir Fali Nariman (1929–2024), a revered jurist whose contributions to constitutional law and judicial independence shaped Indian jurisprudence. It recognizes individuals who uphold integrity, the Rule of Law, and democratic principles.
Arvind Datar, a Senior Advocate of great repute, has played a pivotal role in shaping constitutional, commercial, and taxation law through landmark cases in the Supreme Court of India, various High Courts, and international tribunals. Beyond litigation, he has contributed significantly to legal education and public service through the Palkhivala Foundation and his scholarly works.
On receiving the honor, Datar expressed his gratitude, saying, “Congratulations to BITS Law School for instituting this award in honor of an outstanding counsel who will continue to inspire generations of lawyers.” Former Chief Justice of India, Justice U.U. Lalit, added, “We could not have found a more deserving recipient than Mr. Datar for this inaugural award.”
Prof. (Dr.) Ashish Bharadwaj, Founding Dean of BITS Law School, Mumbai, remarked, “Datar’s career exemplifies legal expertise, ethical standards, and commitment to democracy—values central to both this award and our vision for legal education.”
The award selection process began in November 2024, receiving 76 nominations, which were reviewed by a distinguished jury including Justice Sanjay Gangapurwala (Retd. Chief Justice, Madras High Court), Dr. Lalit Bhasin, Percival Billimoria, Dr. Aparna Chandra, and Naveen Raju.
The event concluded with a fireside chat on “Legal Education: Innovative Ideas”, featuring Justice Roshan Dalvi, Percival Billimoria, and Professor Aparna Chandra, who discussed modern approaches to legal education.
Vinod Surana, Managing Partner at SSIA, emphasized, “Today, we celebrate Mr. Nariman’s legacy and reflect on the principles he championed, which continue to inspire BITS Law School and our firm.”
The event, hosted at BITS Pilani’s Mumbai Campus, was attended by leading legal professionals, academicians, and students. By instituting the Fali Nariman Memorial Award, BITS Law School preserves the legacy of one of India’s greatest legal minds while celebrating contemporary stalwarts like Arvind Datar, who continue to shape the legal landscape.