Former Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas Equity Partner SH Bhojani passes away

Former Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas Equity Partner SH Bhojani passed away this morning.

Speaking to Bar & Bench, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas Managing Partner Cyril Shroff said,

“We are in grief. He was loved and respected by everyone in the firm. He will be missed dearly and most of all by me and my family. Our prayers are with his family in this moment of sorrow “

Bhojani retired from Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas four years back in 2016.

He was a Senior Partner at the erstwhile Amarchand Mangaldas, and was part of its management committee for several years until the firm was dissolved in 2015. Thereafter, he continued with Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas as an Equity Partner.

He was first lawyer who made it to the board of ICICI Bank.

A Eulogy for Mr S H Bhojani - by Pramod Rao

Earlier today, the news of Mr Bhojani’s passing reached and for so many of us who knew him or worked with him, are considerably saddened and anguished.

For me, it is a loss of a mentor and a trailblazer in every sense of the word. He joined the erstwhile Industrial Credit & Investment Corporation of India Ltd (ICICI and always “the Corporation” to Mr B) in 1974 having worked in 4 other companies previously, and retired in 2001 as an Executive Director.

He along with Ms Kalpana Morparia shaped the legal department of ICICI and ICICI Bank (and which many of us hope is their enduring legacy!), nurtured and mentored many a talent - many of whom are now partners at leading law firms or in senior leadership at various banks, financial institutions and companies.

As a person he connected with everyone and touched so many lives; in being kind, courteous, and genuinely interested in well being of a person or their family.

Apart from shaping the legal department of ICICI (and handling several other functions), Mr B was passionately involved in law reform for advancing the banking & finance system and resolution of NPAs - whether it be repeal of SICA, establishment of DRTs or the passage into law of SARFAESI - Mr Bhojani was among those involved from industry in marshalling the case and the blueprint for these critical law reforms.

After retiring from ICICI, Mr. B went on to join Amarchand Mangaldas, where he served as a senior partner, and retired a couple of years ago. He served on several Boards as an independent director.

I felt his kindness and warmth when he called after my own health scare: after asking about the state of my vitals, he mentioned how his own first heart attack was at 47 (and how I have beaten his record), and that the best way of getting well, is focusing the mind on all that is yet to be accomplished. From the time it was given, this advise remains foremost in my mind.

You will be deeply missed and fondly remembered for both being a great human being and a business lawyer par excellence.

Condolences to his family, friends and those who knew him, and may his soul Rest In Peace.