Kochi: An expert in both criminal and civil cases, Damodaran was jailed during the Emergency period and had appeared for Naxalites in the 1970s.
Known as MKD in political and legal spheres, Damodaran was one of the most popular and powerful figures at the Kerala High Court.
He was the advocate-general of the state during 1996-2001 when CPM leader E.K. Nayanar was the chief minister.
Damodaran shot into fame by volunteering to appear for the accused in the sensational Thalassery-Pulpally Naxal attack case of 1968.
Although the Naxalites, as a matter of policy, declined to engage a lawyer, Damodaran volunteered to render his services in the first Naxal attack case in the state. He appeared for 67 accused out of 123.
MKD had appeared in several high-profile cases such as SNC Lavalin (for Mr Pinarayi Vijayan,) Sooryanelli, LIS fraud, Jose Thettayil, the election petitions before the High Court for the Left leaders, M.V. Jayarajan contempt, ISRO and numerous murder cases.
He also appeared in cases involving CPM activists. Born in Thalassery, he was an active student leader and completed his law education at Ernakulam Law College.
He was the state leader of Kerala Students Federation and started his career under advocate A.V.K. Nair at Thalassery in 1964.
