Former Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir passes away

Former Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir passed away at a Kolkata city hospital on Sunday afternoon.

68-year-old Kabir, who was suffering from a kidney ailment and related complications, died at 2.52 pm, a senior hospital official said.

He is survived by his wife, a daughter and a son, his son in-law Leon D'Souza said.

Kabir was appointed as the Chief Justice of India on September 29, 2012. He retired on July 19, 2013. Born on July 19, 1948, Kabir was enrolled as an advocate in 1973 and practised in the district court and the Calcutta High Court in Civil and Criminal sides. He was appointed as a permanent judge in the Calcutta High Court on August 6, 1990.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in her condolence message on Sunday, said with the passing away of Kabir the country has lost a legal luminary. "Condolences on the passing of fmr CJ Altamas Kabir ji. My thoughts with his family/colleagues. India & Bengal have lost a legal luminary," Banerjee tweeted.