Justice N V Anjaria unveiled a memoir celebrating former Gujarat Advocate General Suresh Shelat. The tribute foregrounded his mentorship, integrity, humility and unwavering respect for institutions.Image used for representational purposes onlyAhmedabad,Oct 31, 2026 22:32 ISTSupreme Court Justice N V Anjaria on Saturday unveiled a memoir chronicling the life and legacy of former Gujarat Advocate General Suresh Shelat, describing him as his “professional father”, the Press Trust of India reported.Speaking at the launch of ‘Shri Suresh Shelat: A Legacy Remembered’, Justice Anjaria said Shelat’s professional conduct offered a lesson amid a growing tendency to undermine one’s own institution.Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, Acting Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court Manash Ranjan Pathak, Gujarat Advocate General Kamal Trivedi and Padma Bhushan awardee and cardiologist Tejas Patel attended the launch at Thakorbhai Desai Hall in Ahmedabad.

The event was organised by Shelat’s daughter, Gujarat High Court Justice Vaibhavi Nanavati, and her family.Justice Anjaria, who began his legal career at the Gujarat High Court by joining Shelat’s chamber, recalled his teachings and shared professional and personal anecdotes, according to PTI. “I would say I have two fathers — my real father, who taught me the alphabet of law, and Suresh Shelat, my professional father, from whom I learnt the language of law,” Justice Anjaria told the gathering.Recalling Shelat’s professional conduct, he said one of the senior lawyer’s most outstanding qualities was that he never criticised judges, made disparaging remarks about fellow lawyers or spoke ill of the institution. “This is a lesson for the neo-intellectualism that has gained currency in recent times, characterised by the tendency to demean and denigrate one’s own institution,” he added.Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who also has deep roots in Gujarat’s legal fraternity, described Shelat as a rare example of a “saintly lawyer”. Mehta said diligence, integrity, character and humility defined the senior advocate, PTI reported.The memoir remembers Shelat’s legal career and personal legacy, with speakers highlighting his mentorship, integrity, humility and respect for the judiciary and fellow lawyers.- Ends