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Justice V Sivagnanam Missing in Nepal Floods: Delhi Tamil Advocates Seek Urgent CJI Intervention
The legal fraternity is reeling from distressing news: former judge and newly designated Justice Veerasamy Sivagnanam has been untraceable in Nepal since , when devastating floods and landslides struck the Himalayan nation. The has formally appealed to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, seeking immediate intervention from the highest judiciary and the to locate and safely return the retired judge.
Justice Sivagnanam, who served the Indian judiciary for nearly 34 years before being designated a by the with effect from , was travelling with a group of Tamil pilgrims when the natural disaster hit. According to the appeal, a group photograph taken aboard the bus confirms his presence among the pilgrims. He last communicated with his wife via a WhatsApp call in the early hours of ; since then, all contact has been lost. The uncertainty surrounding his safety has sent shockwaves through the legal community, from the corridors of the to the Bar Association.
A Judicial Leader Vanished
The appeal, drafted under the guidance of the Association’s , Justice S Nagamuthu (Retd.), , and its President, , , details the harrowing circumstances. Persons travelling in another bus, who were later rescued near the Border Outpost at Timure, informed Justice Sivagnanam’s family that his bus was only 100 to 200 metres ahead of theirs when the incident occurred. This proximity has heightened fears that the retired judge may have been caught in the catastrophic floods that have claimed many lives and left dozens missing across Nepal.
The Association’s letter to CJI Surya Kant reads:
“Justice Sivagnanam was travelling in Nepal as part of a group of Tamil pilgrims. A group photograph taken in the bus records his presence with the group. In the early hours of , he made a WhatsApp call to his wife, following which there has been no further communication.”
The Association has urged the Chief Justice to forward the appeal to the and all concerned authorities, including the and the , to take every possible step to trace Justice Sivagnanam, ascertain his safety, and facilitate his safe return to India. The plea underscores the urgency of the situation, given that the disaster has disrupted communications and rescue operations in remote areas.
A Career of Service
Justice V Sivagnanam’s judicial career spanned over three decades. He was a judge of the , where he earned respect for his incisive legal reasoning and humane judgments. After his retirement, he was designated a by the of India, a rare honour reflecting his continued contribution to the field of law. His disappearance has prompted deep concern among senior advocates and judges, many of whom recall his integrity and dedication.
The Bar Association (SCBA) is also expected to mention the matter before the on the next working day, seeking the court’s attention to the ongoing efforts to locate the retired judge. Such a move signifies the collective anxiety of the legal fraternity and the need for coordinated action between the judiciary and the executive.
Nepal’s Devastating Floods and the Pilgrims’ Ordeal
The disaster in Nepal was triggered by a glacial lake outburst, unleashing torrents of water, ice, rock, and debris through the Himalayas. According to reports, several Tamil pilgrims remain missing after the deluge. Earlier reports indicated that 20 pilgrims had taken refuge at the APF outpost in Timure, but the whereabouts of others, including those in Justice Sivagnanam’s bus, remain uncertain. The conditions are extremely challenging, with landslides cutting off roads and communication lines hampering rescue operations.
The ’s appeal highlights that the former judge was part of a group that likely faced the brunt of the flood. The Association has appealed to the Chief Justice of India to use his office’s moral authority to press for immediate and effective rescue operations. The letter states:
“The information has heightened concerns about his safety and whereabouts.”
The Association also noted that the family has received no official confirmation from Nepalese authorities about the status of the missing bus or its passengers, adding to the anguish.
Legal Community Rallies
Lawyers across the country have expressed solidarity with Justice Sivagnanam’s family. Social media has been aglow with messages of concern and prayers for his safe return. Many senior advocates have called for the government to deploy all available diplomatic and consular resources to locate him. The has taken the lead in mobilising support, given the strong ties between the Tamil legal community and the retired judge.
The plea to the Chief Justice is not merely a request for bureaucratic action; it is a call to uphold the principle that even in retirement, a former judge of a High Court deserves the utmost care and protection from the state. The legal profession views this as a matter of institutional responsibility.
What Lies Ahead
The coming days are critical. With the and the likely to receive the Chief Justice’s forwarded appeal, the government may escalate the matter with Nepalese authorities. The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu has already been alerted, but concrete progress remains elusive. The SCBA’s planned mention before the may bring additional public attention and pressure.
For the legal community, this incident is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of even the most respected figures in the face of natural calamities. Justice Sivagnanam’s long and distinguished service to the judiciary now becomes the foundation for a national effort to bring him home safely. As one remarked off record, “The robes he wore do not protect him from floods, but the gratitude of the nation should ensure no stone is left unturned.”
The , along with the SCBA and the broader bar, continues to monitor developments. The entire legal fraternity awaits news with bated breath, hoping that Justice Sivagnanam will be found safe and that the strength of institutional solidarity will prevail in this time of crisis.
