Suresh Shelat, a prominent figure in the legal field, and a former Advocate General of Gujarat, passed away on Sunday after illness at the age of 85. He began his legal career in 1967 and held the position of Advocate General in Gujarat from 2000 to 2006. In recognition of his outstanding legal career spanning 56 years at the Gujarat High Court, he was honored with the designation of a senior advocate in September 1995 and also served as an additional advocate general during that same year.

Suresh Shelat took on the role of Advocate General in 2000, succeeding the late Advocate General JM Thakkar, becoming the second person to hold this prestigious position that year.

Apart from his duties in the high court, Shelat also served as legal counsel for the central government, specializing in matters related to income tax, central excise, and customs. His legal expertise extended to municipal corporations and various other organizations.

Suresh Shelat's influence extended far beyond the confines of the courtroom. He actively participated in the governing body of the Gujarat Law Society and held a role in the executive committee of the Brihad Gujarat Sanskrit Parishad. His dedication to both legal education and cultural organizations demonstrated his holistic commitment to community service.

Furthermore, Suresh Shelat's legacy includes his involvement in significant legal cases, notably the well-known Best Bakery case in Vadodara that gained prominence during the 2002 Gujarat riots. His expertise in civil and constitutional laws earned him respect among his peers and within the legal community.

He is survived by his wife Purnimaben and daughter Vaibhavi Nanavati, who currently serves as a judge in the High Court. The Shelat family has a deep-rooted connection to the legal field, as Suresh Shelat's father, Nanoobhai Shelat, was also a distinguished judge of the High Court.