Justice J.S. Verma cremated

New Delhi, April 23 (IANS) The body of Justice J.S. Verma, who headed the panel on anti-rape laws in the aftermath of the Dec 16 gang-rape, was cremated in the capital Tuesday.

Justice Verma died due to liver failure and bleeding in the stomach here Monday. He was 80.

His last rites were performed at Lodhi crematorium at around 4.30 p.m.

Lawyers described him as "fearless" and "upright."

"Justice Verma was an innovative judge. It was he who developed the path-breaking jurisprudence of continuing writ of mandamus. He fine-tuned the process of court monitoring investigation which has shaped all the important cases which Supreme Court has monitored -- be it 2G scam or the fodder scam," senior lawyer K.T.S. Tulsi told IANS.

M.N. Krishnamani, president, Supreme Court Bar Association, said: "He was one of the greatest judges India has ever had. He was responsible for laying down so many case laws which improved the legal system."

Political leaders L.K. Advani, Arun Jaitley and Sharad Yadav and judges and former judges of the Supreme Court were present at the cremation.