Legal luminaries and senior advocates on Saturday recalled the legacy of the Madras High Court on the occasion of its 150 year valedictory celebration here and former Judges of Supreme Court and High Court were honoured during the event.
Speaking about the Madras High Court’s illustrious past, Justice C. Nagappan said it had undergone a metamorphosis since it was started as a ‘choultry court’ 330 years ago. Later, it became a Supreme Court of Judicature. Sir Colley Scotland was appointed the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Madras in 1862. Sir Muthusamy Aiyar was appointed the first Indian Judge in 1878. He had risen from a humble and penniless background. Many jurists and legal luminaries par excellence later became Judges of this court.
Mr. Justice Nagappan said that the Madras High Court had seen 35 Chief Justices, including the present CJ, 43 Advocates-General and 323 judges in the past 150 years.
The Law Reporter reports were testimony to the contribution made by the members of the Bar and the Judge in the march of law.
Senior advocate and former Attorney-General of India K Parasaran recalled his long association since he appeared first in the High Court in 1943. Talking about the magnificent edifice that houses the High Court, he said that in those days the building attracted several tourists.
Senior Advocate K.K. Venugopal spoke on his 25-year association with the High Court from 1954 to 1978.
Talking about the role of law officers, senior advocate R. Krishnamurthy said a special duty was cast upon law officers to interact with departments in the governments and be ready with the counter and arguments in time and this could substantially reduce the delay in disposal of cases.
A. Navaneethakrishnan, Advocate-General, and R. Muthukumarasamy, president of the Madras Bar Association, D. Selavm, Chairman of the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu, and G. Mohanakrishnan, president of the Madras High Court Advocates Association, were present .
