Mumbai, Sept. 2 (PTI): Former attorney-general Goolam Essaji Vahanvati, the first Muslim to become the country’s top law officer, died here today following a heart attack. He was 65 and is survived by his wife and son.

Vahanvati was appointed the country’s 13th attorney-general in June 2009 for a three-year term after the UPA government was re-elected. In 2012, his term was extended by another two years.

He resigned on May 27 after a BJP-led government headed by Narendra Modi assumed office.

Vahanvati had earlier served as the solicitor-general of India between June 2004 and June 2009. Before that, he had been advocate-general of Maharashtra.

Born on May 7, 1949, Vahanvati obtained a law degree from Government Law College, Mumbai, after graduating from St Xavier’s College.

He was suffering from a lung infection for some time and had been admitted to a city hospital.