A portrait in memory of the late Justice S Ratnavel Pandian was unveiled at the Madras High Court yesterday, in an event hosted by the Madras Bar Association (MBA). Chief Justice Indira Banerjee unveiled the portrait in the presence of the members from the Bar and the Bench.
Coming from a humble background, Justice SR Pandian eventually went on to serve two terms as Acting Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, after which he was elevated to the Supreme Court in 1988. He retired in 1994. In February this year, he passed away at the age of 89.
Speaking at the event, President of the MBA and incumbent Advocate General, Vijay Narayan remarked that Justice SR Pandian would perhaps be the only judge to have his portrait in the gallery of the MBA.
Recounting his personal experience with the judge, Narayan said,
“What really touched me was the way in which he made all juniors comfortable…how he encouraged juniors..”
Chief Justice Banerjee also recalled similar experiences while arguing before the judge in the case of Krishna Kumar Khemka v. Grindlays Bank. Justice Banerjee remarked that she had appeared before the judge at a point when she was still a baby in the profession. Regardless,
“…[I was] enamoured by the kindness he [Justice Pandian] showed to an unknown junior who had not practiced in the Supreme Court.“
She went on to observe that Justice Pandian was not only a good, considerate judge, but also a great human being.
“His departure…is a loss for all of us and society in general.”
On the judgments rendered by Justice Pandian, Narayan noted that he would be remembered for the clarity of thought he brought into the decision-making process.
Justice HG Ramesh also agreed, praising Justice Pandian as an erudite scholar, a great judge and jurist for his contributions to understanding the Constitution. While making note of the precedential value of Justice Pandian’s judgments, Justice Ramesh opined that the maintenance of principles is more important than rendering a judgment in anyone’s favour.
Justice Ramesh signed off by observing that among the other contributions of Justice Pandian, he had also left his son, Justice R Subbiah, as a gift for the Court.
The event came to close with the vote of thanks rendered by MBA Secretary, Advocate VR Kamalanathan.