The Prime Minister has condoled the passing away of Samajwadi Party leader and Rajya Sabha member Shri Virendra Bhatia. Dr. Manmohan Singh in his condolence letter to the late leaders wife Smt Saroj Bhatia noted that Shri Bhatia worked against the odds to make his mark as a leading lawyer and was one committed to the cause of social justice.

The text of the Prime Minister's letter is as follows:

"I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing away of your husband and Samajwadi Party leader Shri Virendra Bhatia. Shri Bhatia was a sitting Rajya Sabha member and was on the Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice.

Born in Sialkot in Pakistan , Shri Bhatia worked against the odds to make a mark as a leading lawyer. He became the Chairman of the Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh and subsequently the Advocate General of the Uttar Pradesh Government. Shri Bhatia was committed to the cause of social justice and actively worked for equal opportunities for all communities.

I convey my sincere condolences at the untimely demise of Shri Bhatia and hope that God will give you the strength to bear this irreparable loss."