Manohar Lal Sharma, a well-known lawyer in India, passed away on December 21, 2025. This news came on Sunday. Many people remember him for his bold court cases.
Early Life
Manohar Lal Sharma was born on October 25, 1956. He came from a simple family. He wanted to become a chartered accountant at first. But he dropped out of M.Com studies. Then he chose law. He got his LLB degree from a law college in Mumbai. Life was not easy for him in the start. He worked hard to learn the law. Sharma moved to courts step by step. He started in Mumbai. There he followed senior lawyers. He watched them in action. Soon he went to Delhi. In 1991, he began practice in Allahabad High Court. He felt Delhi was better for big cases. He set up his work there. His dream was to fight for public good.
Manohar Lal Sharma Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Son, Wife, Family
Career
Sharma filed his first big case in 1991. It was a public interest litigation. He challenged parts of the Places of Worship Act. This act is from 1991. He wanted courts to look at it closely. From that day, he became active. He liked to file cases on hot topics. Media started to notice him. He moved to Supreme Court soon. Delhi became his base. He practiced there for many years. Courts saw him often.
He took up cases no one else wanted. His style was simple. He used news papers as proof. Judges sometimes got angry. They said his cases lacked strong base. But he never stopped. Sharma earned a name as a "serial petitioner." This means he filed many pleas. Some called it "publicity interest litigation." He was first to file on big scams. People talked about him in news. His face appeared on TV. He spoke boldly. This made him famous among lawyers and reporters.
Famous Work
Sharma filed the first petition on coal scam. This was a big fraud in India. Coal blocks went to wrong people. He went to Supreme Court first. Courts heard his plea. It led to big probe. Many lost jobs. He felt proud of this. Then came Article 370 case. Government removed it in 2019. Jammu and Kashmir changed. Sharma challenged it first. He said it broke the Constitution. Supreme Court heard many times. His petition started the fight. Media covered it live.
He took Rafale deal case. This was about fighter jets from France. He said deal was not fair. Costs were too high. He wanted full details. Court dismissed it later. But he made noise. Pegasus spyware case was next. Phones of leaders were hacked. Sharma filed plea. He asked for probe. Hindenburg report on Adani group. He said it hurt investors. Again, he went to court first.
Nirbhaya case made him most talked. In 2012, a girl was raped and killed in Delhi. It shocked India. Sharma defended one accused. That man got death later. Sharma spoke in BBC film. His words hurt many. He said bad things about victim. Women lawyers got angry. They asked court to ban him. Supreme Court did not ban. But his name stuck. He filed on CJI Ranjan Gogoi too. A woman said CJI harassed her. Sharma wanted inquiry. Court said no. He questioned PM Cares Fund. Said it hides money. Courts fined him often. He paid but filed more.
Challenges
Supreme Court fined Sharma many times. Judges said he wastes time. His pleas came from news clips. No deep study. One bench called him serial filer. They put costs on him. Lakhs of rupees. He paid from pocket. No rich backers. In coal scam, fine came. Article 370 also. Rafale got slap. Pegasus too. Nirbhaya remarks led to heat. Supreme Court Women Lawyers asked ban. Court said he can come. But warned him. Sharma never gave up. He said he fights for people. Poor can't go to court. He does it free. Media helped spread his voice. Reporters waited for his filings. He became face of quick pleas.
Personal Life
Sharma lived simple life. Delhi was home. He had office there. No big cars. He walked to courts sometimes. Talked to juniors. Told them fight hard. He liked books. Read news daily. TV debates too. Family kept low profile. Not much known. He focused on work. Age 69 when died. Health issues came late. Friends say he was sharp. Mind quick. Argued well. Lost cases but won fame. Young lawyers saw him as hero. Some called pest. Mix of views.
Big Impact
Sharma changed PIL world. Public Interest Litigation grew big. He showed anyone can file. No need big name. Courts must hear public voice. His cases forced probes. Coal scam cleaned some dirt. Article 370 went to full hearing. Rafale details came out bit. Pegasus made government talk. Hindenburg shook markets. Critics say he filed too much. Wasted court time. Judges busy with real cases. Fines proved that. But fans say he woke system. Sleepy courts now alert. Nirbhaya defense hurt image. Words were harsh. India in pain then. Victim became symbol. His talk reopened wounds. Still, he stood firm.
Recent News
On December 20 or 21, 2025, news broke. Sharma passed away. Delhi reports said Sunday. Age 69. Cause not clear. Heart or sudden. Lawyers mourned. Supreme Court bar sad. Media wrote tributes. "Serial petitioner gone." Some said relief. Most said end of era. His cases live on. Others took them. Legacy stays. Bold man who dared.
Why Remember Him
Sharma teaches fight. Law not for rich only. Speak truth. Face fines. He shook power. Government watched him. Courts too. India needs such voices. Not perfect. But real. He used simple ways. News as tool. Voice for silent. Today, December 22, 2025, we think of him. Monday evening. His story ends. But sparks many. Young lawyers read. Learn guts.
