New Delhi: Former Union Law Minister and eminent jurist Shanti Bhushan, who represented the then Union Minister Raj Narain in the historic case that led to the annulment of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s election in 1975, passed away in New Delhi on Tuesday following brief illness. He was 97.

He is survived by his sons Prashant Bhushan and Jayant Bhushan, both leading lawyers, and daughters Shalini Gupta and Shefali Bhushan.

In 1977, when the Janata Party came to power, Shanti Bhushan was appointed Law Minister when he overturned a series of Constitutional Amendments that were made during Indira Gandhi’s time. The senior advocate had served as Law Minister from 1977 to 1979 in the Morarji Desai Cabinet.

In 1980, after the fall of the Janata Party, Shanti Bhushan joined the BJP but quit a few years later. He was active in the legal profession till recently and had argued on a PIL in the Supreme Court seeking a Court-monitored probe into the Rafale fighter jets deal. He was vocal on the issue of corruption and was among the founding members of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which he later quit.

Offering his condolence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said “Shri Shanti Bhushan Ji will be remembered for his contribution to the legal field and passion towards speaking for the underprivileged. Pained by his passing away. Condolences to his family. Om Shanti.”

Law Minister Kiren Rijiju also condoled Bhushan’s passing away. “My deepest condolences to the family members on his passing away. My prayers for the departed soul. Om Shanti,” the Law Minister said.