Former Advocate General Amrit Kumar Phookan passes away

By Our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Oct 13: Eminent jurist and former Advocate General of Assam Amrit Kumar Phookan passed away Monday night at 12.30 pm at Fortis Hospital in Kolkata. Ailing for some time, he was 71 years old at the time of death.

Born in 1944 at Jorhat, Phookan matriculated from Jorhat Government Boys High School, followed by graduation from Cotton College with Honours in Economics. After taking his Masters and LLB degrees from Gauhati University, Phookan joined the bar. From 1972 onwards, he began practising at the Gauhati High Court.

Desigted as senior advocate, Phookan served Assam Government as Government Advocate, followed by appointment as Advocate General for Aruchal Pradesh in which capacity he served for six years. In 2001, he was appointed Advocate General for Assam and served for 14 long years with great distinction. He resigned on health grounds in December, 2014.

Apart from his busy legal profession, Phookan also led an active social life, being a sportsman, musician and organiser of note.

Phookan's body was brought by plane from Kolkata to Guwahati today at 3.30 pm and taken to the Gauhati High Court premises where floral tributes were paid and his achievements recollected. His body was then taken to his Geetagar residence and cremated in the evening, family sources said.

Phookan leaves behind his wife, two sons, one daughter and a host of relatives. His demise has cast a pall with legions of admirers and well-wishers as well as members of the law fraternity hastening to his residence to pay their last respects.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has condoled Phookan's demise. In his condolence message, the CM said that Phookan played a special role in imparting momentum to the judicial system in the State and mentoring a new generation of skilled lawyers. "His legal services to all sections of society, especially to the poor and deprived, will be fondly remembered," the CM said.

The All Assam Lawyers' Association, APCC president Anjan Dutta, AGP president Atul Bora and a host of prominent persons and leading bodies and organisations in the State have condoled Phookan's death.  

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