Justice Dr. S. Radhakrishnan | X
Mumbai: Justice Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, a former judge of the Bombay High Court, passed away on Tuesday in Mumbai at the age of 78. According to his family, he passed away to complications from surgery at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital.
The legal fraternity mourned the loss of a jurist remembered as a thorough gentleman and a staunch advocate of justice. Colleagues and juniors hailed him as a mentor, humanitarian, and defender of the city’s rights. Known for his soft-spoken demeanor, Justice Radhakrishnan’s contribution to law and education have left a lasting legacy.
One of his landmark rulings was in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the Bombay Environmental Action Group concerning the preservation of open spaces in Mumbai. Justice Radhakrishnan held that several constructions by developers violated the Environment Impact Assessment Notification of 2004.
He also found that the sale of mill lands by the National Textile Corporation (NTC) was in contravention of Supreme Court orders and sanctioned schemes by the Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction (BIFR).
A former judge remarked, “He had an exceptional sense of justice and unwavering respect for human rights. He always prioritized the well-being of the city and its people.”
In 2009, the bench led by Justice Radhakrishnan, for the first time in Bombay HC’s history, awarded death sentences in two separate cases on the same day. The bench confirmed the death sentence of Dhondiram Kulal for beheading his uncle in 2004.
In a separate case, the court enhanced the life sentence of Harish Rajput to the death penalty for the brutal rape and murder of a 10-year-old girl in 1999. The bench emphasised that heinous crimes against women and children are a grave menace to society, requiring the harshest punishment. This marks a significant step in delivering stringent justice in cases of extreme brutality.
Born on December 25, 1946, Justice Radhakrishnan earned his LL.M. from Mumbai University, standing first in his class. He enrolled as an advocate in 1971 and quickly established himself at the Bombay High Court, specializing in constitutional, civil, labor, and criminal law. His expertise lay in handling civil writs involving intricate constitutional and administrative issues. He was designated a Senior Advocate in December 1991.
Justice Radhakrishnan also had a passion for teaching. For over 11 years, he taught constitutional and administrative law at New Law College and Mumbai University’s Department of Law. He also educated LL.M. students in public international law and press laws.
In 1996, he was appointed an additional judge of the Bombay High Court and became a permanent judge in 1998. During his judicial tenure, he earned a doctorate in human rights, an area he actively researched and championed throughout his life.
After retiring in 2008, Justice Radhakrishnan served as Chairman of the Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal from 2009 to 2014. He was also a member of the Governing Board of the Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute and Research Center.
Justice Radhakrishnan chaired a five-member committee appointed by the Maharashtra government to oversee prison reforms. One of his key initiatives was involving law students in providing legal aid to undertrial prisoners, showcasing his commitment to access to justice. Justice Radhakrishnan’s cremation will take place tomorrow.
