SCBA mourns demise of former Union minister Sushma Swaraj

The Supreme Court Bar Association on Wednesday condoled the demise of former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, who was also a member of the Bar.

Swaraj had joined the legal profession in 1973 and was an advocate-on-record in the Supreme Court.

SCBA president Rakesh Khanna said in a statement that the association's executive committee mourns the sad and untimely demise of Swaraj.

"Mrs Swaraj was a virtuous, resolute and fearless leader, an articulate orator and a picture of simplicity, compassion and cultural values, who embodied the ideals cherished by our country. The void created by her demise would be difficult to fill," the SCBA statement said.

The SCBA also extended its condolences to the family of Swaraj, her daughter and husband, who are also lawyers.

"We express our sincere and heartfelt condolences to our members, Mr Swaraj Kaushal, senior advocate and Ms Bansuri Swaraj, advocate and her entire family. May God rest her soul in peace and give strength to the bereaved family to bear this colossal loss," the statement added.

Swaraj, who also served as the Leader of Opposition and chief minister of Delhi, was given full state honours after which her body was cremated at the Lodhi Road electric crematorium.

Hundreds of people, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah and veteran party leader L K Advani bade her farewell.

Bhutan's Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, several leaders from the NDA as well the opposition, were also present.

The body of the long-time BJP leader was brought to the crematorium from the party office.

Swaraj had undergone a kidney transplant in 2016 and had opted out of contesting Lok Sabha polls earlier this year for health reasons.