Kapil Sibal, a prominent figure in Indian politics and law, has had a multifaceted career spanning decades. His contributions to both the legal and political arenas are significant and often debated.
Wiki/Biography
Kapil Sibal was born on August 8, 1948 (age 75 as of 2023), in Jalandhar, Punjab. His zodiac sign is Leo. He completed his schooling at St. John’s High School, Chandigarh, before moving to Delhi in 1964 to attend St. Stephen’s College. There, he earned a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) in 1969 and followed it with an M.A. in History. He joined the Bar Association in 1972. Interestingly, he passed the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) exam in 1973 but declined the offer to pursue his legal career. He established his own law firm in 1973 and later pursued an LLM at Harvard Law School, returning to India in 1977 to practice law. He became a senior advocate in 1989 and served three times as President of the Supreme Court Bar Association (1995-96, 1997-98, and 2001-02).
Kapil Sibal As The President of the Supreme Court Bar Association
His distinguished legal career paved the way for his entry into politics. He was first elected to the Rajya Sabha in July 1998, leveraging his reputation as a constitutional expert.
Physical Appearance
- Height (approx.): 5′ 8″
- Eye Colour: Brown
- Hair Colour: White
Family, Caste & Wife
Kapil Sibal hails from a Khatri family that migrated to India after the 1947 partition. His father, Hari Lal Sibal, a renowned lawyer and recipient of the Padma Bhushan, significantly influenced his career path. He has three elder brothers – Virender, Jitender, and Kanwal (a former IFS officer and Foreign Secretary of India) – and a sister, Asha Nanda.
He married Nina Sibal, an Indian Foreign Service officer, on April 13, 1973. They had two sons, Amit and Akhil, both lawyers. Sadly, Nina passed away in 2000. He remarried in 2005 to Promila Sibal, a businesswoman.
Political Career
His political journey began with his Rajya Sabha nomination in 1998. He held various ministerial positions, including Union Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Union Minister of Human Resource Development, and Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology. He also served as a Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from 2004 to 2014 and later returned to the Rajya Sabha. He resigned from the Indian National Congress in May 2022 and subsequently ran as an independent candidate for the Rajya Sabha, with the support of the Samajwadi Party.
Controversies
Throughout his career, Sibal has faced several controversies. These include accusations related to the Vodafone tax dispute and his statements regarding the 2G spectrum allocation. A controversial act passed during his tenure as Communications Minister, aiming to regulate internet content, sparked significant public backlash and protests.
Address
C-1, Maharani Bagh, New Delhi
Car & Bike Collection
His collection includes cars like a Mercedes GLC, Toyota Camry, Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Sonata, and a Suzuki Jeep, along with a Royal Enfield Bullet and a Hero Honda Splendor motorcycle.
Assets & Properties
| Asset Type | Value (INR, as of 2015) |
|---|---|
| Movable Assets | 38.77 Crores |
| Cash | 3.10 Lacs |
| Bank Deposits | 11.29 Crores |
| Jewellery | 35.70 Lacs |
| Immovable Assets | 136.13 Crores |
| Agricultural Lands | 27.5 Crores |
| Non-Agricultural Lands | 4 Crores |
| Commercial Buildings | 2.78 Crores |
| Residential Buildings | 12.03 Crores |
| Other Properties | 53 Crores |
Salary & Net Worth
His salary as a Rajya Sabha member was approximately INR 1 Lac per month (plus allowances) as of a past reporting period. His net worth was estimated at INR 212 Crores (as of 2015).
Facts
- He was the sole defense lawyer in the impeachment trial of Supreme Court Justice V. Ramaswami (1993).
- He played a key role in establishing separate airwaves for news and entertainment channels, fostering competition in the television industry.
- He was the first Indian Minister and only the second globally to visit Antarctica (2005) to inaugurate an Indian R&D station.
- A cricket enthusiast, he even guest-commented during an India-Australia match.
- He penned lyrics for two songs in the 2016 film “Shorgul”.
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