Nagpur Lawyer Dies of Sudden Heart Attack Mid-Trial, Judge’s Swift Response Not Enough

The sudden death of Advocate Talat Iqbal Qureshi due to a heart attack while arguing a civil case in Nagpur’s District Court on Saturday has sent shockwaves through the legal community. The 65-year-old lawyer collapsed unexpectedly during a court proceeding, highlighting concerns about the lack of emergency medical facilities in the court premises.

The incident occurred around 11:30 a.m. when Qureshi, after presenting his initial arguments in Judge S.B. Pawar’s courtroom on the seventh floor of the Nyay Mandir, took his seat as the opposing counsel began their arguments. Without warning, Qureshi slumped in his chair. Judge Pawar immediately recognized the urgency of the situation and rushed to assist. He, along with court staff and Advocate Roshan Bagde, quickly transported Qureshi to a nearby hospital in Sadar using Judge Pawar’s car. Despite their best efforts, doctors declared Qureshi dead upon arrival, attributing his sudden collapse to a severe heart attack.

The tragedy has sparked a discussion within the legal fraternity about the inadequate medical infrastructure in the courthouse, which sees a daily footfall of 40,000 to 50,000 individuals, including lawyers, litigants, and staff. Former District Bar Association president Kamal Satuja expressed concern over the absence of on-site medical facilities, noting that timely intervention could have potentially saved Qureshi’s life. He emphasized the need for an ambulance and basic medical provisions in such a high-traffic area.

Qureshi, a resident of Prashant Colony, Gorewada Road, had been living alone following the loss of his wife to COVID-19. He is survived by two married daughters. His sudden passing has left a void in the legal community, and his body was laid to rest at Kamptee graveyard on Saturday night.

This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the need for better emergency response systems in public spaces, particularly in institutions like the courts, where the absence of timely medical aid can result in devastating consequences.