Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:
Prominent veteran lawyer Arunchandra Kapadia (96) passed away due to old age in the early hours of Saturday. Even at this age, he was completely self-reliant, mentally sharp, and healthy without any medications. He was known as “The lawyer of the poor, a support for the neglected.”
His entire legal career was dedicated to fighting for the rights of the poor and justice for the marginalised. He fought thousands of cases. His approach always prioritised human values over professional interests.
He played a key role in the establishment of the Aurangabad Bench of the Bombay High Court. Many of his disciples went on to become judges in the High Court and District Courts, and one of them even became the Home Minister of India. During his tenure as the then president of Aurangabad (Municipal Council), he focused on resolving the persistent water issues plaguing the city. He actively participated in the Marathwada Liberation Movement alongside Govindbhai Shroff.
His son Hemant Kapadia currently serves as the legal advisor to the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL). He encouraged his daughter-in-law, Rekha Kapadia, to pursue journalism in the 1980s, and she later served as a judge in the District Consumer Forum. His eldest daughter, Sushma Shah, was inspired by him to work for prison inmates, and she is now actively involved in family counselling and initiatives empowering underprivileged girls.
His middle daughter, Seema, is a computer engineer and is settled in the United States. His youngest daughter, Dr. Yamini Mistry, is a successful dentist.
Guidance in political life
Adv. Arunchandra Kapadia was a revered, selfless, sage-like personality, a senior legal expert and a leader of leftist and progressive thought. He guided me at various stages in my political career. His contributions in political, social, and especially legal spheres will undoubtedly serve as an inspiration to future generations. Last year, ‘Lokmat’ felicitated him during senior citizens’ felicitation ceremony. I frequently interacted with him during my political tenure, and he always provided invaluable guidance for the development of the city and the region. A father-figure has been lost. My heartfelt tributes to him.
— Rajendra Darda, Former Minister and Editor-in-Chief, Lokmat Group of Newspapers.
A truly secular personality has been lost
He had deeply secular views. He nurtured relationships with people of all castes and religions with immense love and trust. He believed in humanity over caste, religion, or class — that was the guiding principle of his life. He was my maternal uncle by relation. I learned the fundamentals of law from him. He was a masterful lawyer.
— Adv. Dinesh Vakil, Chairman, Saraswati Bhuvan Education Society.
He was an institution in himself
He was not just an individual, but an institution. I received his political guidance at various times. He used to teach at PES Law College in those days. Though his passing has created a significant void in society. Carrying forward his work, thoughts, and values will be a true honour to him.
— Anil Patel, Former Minister of State.