Delhi Bar Council’s incumbent chairman and eminent criminal lawyer K K Sareen (pictured) passed away on Saturday in Delhi at the age of 64 after suffering from a year-long heart ailment.

Former chairman and member of the Delhi Bar Council Ved Prakash Sharma told Legally India: "Mr Sareen was a dynamic leader of the bar, a very bold and courageous member and his demise is a big loss to the entire legal fraternity."

"He was a prominent criminal trial lawyer of the country - there is a dearth of such lawyers today," he said. "He was a pillar of support and strength to us. For me, it's a loss of a personal friend and colleague of the last 30 years. We also worked together when he shared my chamber for three years."

Sharma said that Sareen had been unwell for the last one year on account of heart problem. "A lot of complications developed lately and his condition had started deteriorating."

He added that the Delhi bar council members are holding a condolence meet in High Court today.

Delhi Bar Council member Vijay Sondhi said: "He was a good counsel and a great administrator. Unfortunately, due to untimely death our Bar Council could not take benefit of his capabilities. RIP."

Sareen is survived by his wife and two children.

He was serving as chairman for the second time after winning against opponent Rakesh Tiku in the internal elections to the executive council held in February this year.

The date of fresh internal elections to the post of Delhi Bar Council chairman, which now lies vacant, will be announced in due course, said Sharma.