Former Supreme Court Justice S Ratnavel Pandian passed away after a brief illness at the age of 89 in Chennai on 28 February.
Pandian, a native of Thirupadaimarudur village in Tirunelveli district, was born on 13 February 1929. He graduated from Saint Xavier’s College, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli. He obtained his law degree from the Madras Law College in 1954.
In August 1971, Pandian was appointed State Public Prosecutor in the High Court of Madras, a post he held until he was elevated as judge in 1974. He served as Acting Chief Justice of the Madras High Court twice in 1988, Bar and Bench reported.
He served as Supreme Court judge from 1988 to 1994. After retirement as judge of the apex court, he was appointed chairperson of the National Commission for Backward Classes from 2006 to 2009, the report added.
According to the Bar and Bench report, the late judge concurred with the majority view in the 1992 Indira Sawhney case, which upheld the constitutionality of reservation for backward classes.
In addition, he played a part in delivering the judgment in the Second Judges case.
Recognising his meritorious contribution in the field of law and human rights, Pandian was presented the Justice VR Krishna Iyer Award in 2016, the Bar and Bench report stated.
He practiced for nearly 17 years on both the trial and the appellate sides.
Ratnavel Pandian is survived by five sons and a daughter, family sources said. Subbaiah, a sitting judge of the Madras High Court, is his son, they added.
(With inputs from PTI, Bar & Bench)
(Hey there, lady! What makes you laugh? Do you laugh at sexism, patriarchy, and misogyny? Do 'sanskaari' stereotypes crack you up? This Women's Day, join The Quint's Ab Laugh Naari campaign. Pick up that beer, say cheers, and send us photographs or videos of you laughing out loud at buriladki@thequint.com.)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)