Former Supreme Court judge and renowned legal luminary VR Krishna Iyer passed away at a private hospital here on Thursday afternoon, He was 100.
According to hospital sources, justice Iyer died due to renal and cardiac failure and breathed his last around 3.30 pm. His close family members were by his side when he breathed his last.
Justice Iyer, known for his forthright views, turned 100 recently. He was sworn in as the judge of the Supreme Court on July 17, 1973 and retired at the age of 65 on Nov.14, 1980.
Born to a leading criminal lawyer VV Rama Ayyar in 1915 in Thalassery, Justice Iyer had his education at the Basel Mission School, Thalassery, Victoria College, Palakkad, Annamalai University and Madras Law College.
After starting legal practice in 1937 under his father in the Thalassery courts, he used to appear for workers and peasants in several agrarian struggle-related cases in his early years of practice.
Justice Iyer served the society as an eminent jurist, legislator and a human rights crusader.
Iyer was regarded as a legend in terms of his knowledge of law and was remembered for his many trailblazing judgements that earned him a place among world-renowned legal scholars.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several top politicians and legal luminaries offered condolence on justice Iyer’s demise.
