Chennai: Justice S.Rathinavel Pandian (89), a retired judge of the Supreme Court, died at his Anna Nagar residence in the city on Wednesday.
Born on February 13, 1929, Justice Rathinavel Pandian did his schooling in Theerthapathi high school, Ambasamudram and graduated from St. Xaviers College at Palayamkottai. He did his B.L in Madras law college and completed his B.L in 1954. He took apprenticeship under K. Narayanaswamy Mudaliar. He had very good practice both in trial and appellate side for nearly 17 years.
In 1974, he was appointed as state public prosecutor in the Madras high court and held the post till he was appointed as a judge of the Madras high court in February 1974. He had also held the post of Advocate General for a short period in the leave vacancy.
From January 18, 1988, to January 29, 1988, and from March 13, 1988 to December 13, 1988, he was the acting Chief Justice of the Madras high court. On December 14, 1988, he was elevated as judge of the Supreme court and retired on March 12, 1994. After his retirement, he was appointed as Chairperson of the National Commission for Backward Classes in 2006.
He is survived by five sons and a daughter. His first son Justice R.Subbiah is a sitting judge of the Madras high court.
Funeral will be held on March 2 at 11 a.m.at the corporation crematorium in Anna Nagar.
