Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru (RJP)

Bengaluru, Apr 7: Niranjan Thomas Alva, Supreme Court advocate and husband of senior Congress leader Margaret Alva, passed away on Saturday, April 7 here.

Niranjan Alva was 78.

Son of Joachim and Violet Alva, freedom fighters and the first couple in the Indian Parliament, Niranjan was also a former Director of the State Bank of India.

Alva had played a key role in expanding the footprints of All India Catholic University Federation as its president across the country in the late 50's.

As a Supreme Court lawyer, one of the landmark litigations he led resulted in air hostesses in Air India getting the same rights and privileges as their male counterparts, including full retirement benefits and the right to bear children.

Alva is survived by wife Margaret and children Niret, Nikhil, Manira and Nivedith.

The funeral service will take place on Sunday, April 8 at 4 pm in Bengaluru at St Theresa of Kolkata Church.