Reference in High Court on the Retirement of the Hon’ble Chief Justice Mr. K. T. Koshi

The reference on the retirement of the Hon’ble Chief Justice Mr. K. T. Koshi was held on 30-1-1959 at 4. P. M. in the First Court Hall. The Court Hall was packed full with lawyers and officers of the High Court. All the Judges were present. Mr. K. V. Surianarayana Iyer, Ad­vocate General bade on affectionate farewell to the retiring; Chief Justice-He referred to the proud record of his work and achievements as an eminent lawyer and as a great Judge. He said: “His Lordship started practice in 1921 at Ernakulam with the blessings of his father-in-law Mr. Philip and rose to eminence. He was a reputed cross-examiner. He had appeared in many important and sensational cases, such as Kumblanji riot case, Rekthalekka sedition case, Vellarapally case etc., and discharged his duties as a lawyer with distinction. The thoroughness with which he argued the cases was remarkable” He continued: “His Lordship had a judicial mind and aptitude and was always anxious to do justice. His judgments were full and up-to-date. His judgments on rule of circumstantial evidence, scope of S. 27 of Evi­dence Act, rule of presumption as to death, S. 39 of Nayar Act etc., disclose his vast learning and juristic approach. Industrial law, law of constitution, especially those relating to fundamental rights, law of social relations, civil and criminal cases, all were dealt with by him thoroughly and exhaustively. As the head of the judicial administration his services are equally great. He substantially succeeded in his attempt to reduce the arrears of work in the High Court and in the subordinate Courts. The well equipped spacious High Court library today we see, is the result of his efforts.” He concluded by saying: ‘‘His Lordship has done his part creditably. Let Almighty may shower His choicest blessings upon him.”

Mr. Justice Sankaran in his speech said that the Hon’ble Chief Justice had successfully tackled various problems which arose during iiis tenure of office, especially regarding service integration. He tried his best for the liquidation of the arrears of work. He said that with the formation of the Kerala State followed by the addition of Malabar .there was substantial increase in the number of cases in the High Court and the number of Judges was not sufficient to cope with that increase and he wished that the authorities concerned may do the needful in the matter shortly. He also referred to the Chief Justice’s judicial achievements as a Judge and wished him long, life and prosperity.

Reference in High Court on the occasion of the first sitting of the

Hon’ble Chief Justice Mr. K. Sankaran

There was a reference on 4-3-1959 at 11-15 P. M. in the First Court to felicitate the new Chief Justice of Kerala, Mr. K. Sankaran who took his seat along with all the Judges. The Hall was full with advocates and officers of the Court. Mr. K.V. Surianarayana Ayyar, Advocate General on behalf of the Bar extended to the Hon’ble Chief Justice best wishes and hearty felicitations. He referred to the judicial talents and qualities of the Hon’ble Chief Justice and assured him the hearty co operation of the Bar in the administration of justice and wished him long life and success.

     Mr. T.N. Subramonia Iyer, President of the Advocates’ Association said that the undoubted talents of Mr. Justice Sankaran have been duly recognized by his elevation as Chief Justice, which he richly deserves. His unfailing courtesy to the Bar, his unflinching integrity and independence, exceptionally patient hearing, sweet temperament and quick perception all made him a popular and distinguished Judge. He requested his Lordship to redress the grievances of the Bar especially in the matter of appointment to the judiciary. He concluded by assuring him of the fullest cooperation and assistance of the Bar, and wishing him brilliant success and greater prosperity.

Hon’ble Mr. Justice S. Velu Pillai

We offer our sincere congratulations and cordial felicitations to Mr. Justice S. Velu Pillai on his elevation to the Bench of the Kerala High Court. His appointment has been hailed with universal satisfaction and joy all round for, all were looking forward with eagerness for this conferment of honour on him which he richly deserved earlier.

Mr. Justice Velu Pillai is a proud inheritor of a glorious tradition and an illustrious family of eminent Judges. His father Rao Bahadur G. Sankara Pillai was a Judge of the Travancore High Court from 1098 to 1102 ME Mr. Sankara Pillai’s father Dewan Bahadur A. Govinda Pillai was also a Judge of the Travancore High Court from 1071 to 1084 M.E. Mr. Govinda Pillai’s uncle Mr. Sankar-nath who was a Judge of the Court of Ranjit Singh in Punjab adorned the Sudder Court of Travancore as the Chief Justice for a few years in the 1st decade of 1000 M.E. Thus Mr. Justice Velu Pillai today is having the “unique instance not only in India but even in the United Kingdom where the same family has produced four generations of High Court Judges.”

Mr. Justice Velu Pillai was born on 14th October 1905. After a brilliant academic career he enrolled as an advocate in 1928 and set up practice at Trivandrum under the table guidance of late Mr. Kayyalam Parameswaran Pillai. In an incredibly short time by dint of his industry and merit he made his way to the front rank of the profession and occupied a prominent position acquiring a lucrative practice. In recognition of his talents and merits he was appointed as a District Judge in 1948. All through his career as a District Judge he was held in warm regard and high esteem by the Bar and the general public by reason of his deep learning, devotion to duty, exceptional punctuality and dignified and courteous behavior. Simple in habits, unostentatious and affable in manners, and gifted with a keen intellect Mr. Justice Velu Pillai has earned a reputation throughout Kerala as a Judge of high integrity and absolute impartiality. It can undoubtedly be stated of his court as was said of Lord Cockburn’s Court, “a Court where every man felt himself in the presence of a gentleman, whose genial courtesy made all things genial, whose exquisite learning captured all men’s love, whose sun bright Justice brightened every cause and sent even him who lost away content”. Our good wishes go to him for a distinguished and enlightened career in his new sphere.

Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Anna Chandy

The elevation of Mrs. Anna Chandy as a Judge of the Kerala High Court is a matter of extreme honour, supreme gratification and unbounded pride to all the people of Kerala and especially to the womankind. Kerala, the smallest of States in India, today has attained the pinnacle of glory and has attracted the whole world by her appointment, being the first and unique instance of a lady occupying the exalted office of a High Court Judge, not only in India but elsewhere also.

Mrs. Justice Anna Chandy was born in the year 1905.’ She had an illustrious educational career. She took the M. A. Degree in 1926 with distinction. She joined the Bar in 1929 and set up practice at Kottayam as a junior to late Mr. John Nidhiri and afterwards at Trivandrum. By dint of her indomitable spirit of courage and devotion to duty she was able to acquire a wide practice especially on the criminal side. She had also her valuable services in the Travancore Legislative Assembly. In 1937 she was appointed as a Munsiff and in 1948 as a District Judge. She enjoyed the unbounded confidence of the legal profession and the litigant public in the discharge of her duties. Her wide legal knowledge, forensic abilities, quick understanding and affable manners made her a popular and distinguished judicial officer. As a Judge, she was strictly adhering to the rule laid down by Judge Mathew Hale that “she is entrusted for God, the State and the country at large and therefore that has to be done uprightly, deliberately and resolutely.” We extend to Mrs. Justice Anna Chandy our heart-felt congratulations and sincere felicitations and wish her a bright future and brilliant success in the most sacred and exalted temple of Justice. May she be the beacon light of womankind?

LATE SRI. JOSEPH THALIATH

It is with profound sorrow that we have to record here the passing away of Sri. Joseph Thaliath on 14th January 1959. As a Judge of the Cochin Chief Court and later as Judge and Chief Justice of the Travancore High Court, Mr. Joseph Thaliath has earned a name for integrity, independence and impartiality. Endowed with the most affable manners and a most equable temperament he has been discharging his onerous duties to the admiration and satisfaction of all. Throughout his long tenure of office he has never been known at any time to have either lost his temper or said anything harsh to anybody. In his personal manners he was most unassuming and simple. The bar had universal esteem and regard for him and his respect for the Bar was very high. We tender to the members of his bereaved family our heartfelt sympathies and condolences in their distress. May God bless his Soul?