Justice J Sathya Narayana Prasad, a sitting judge of the Madras High Court, passed away in Chennai late evening on Tuesday, MAy 7. He was 56.
Ranked 42nd in seniority among the High Court’s 63 judges, his sudden demise has shocked the legal fraternity.
According to sources, Justice Prasad experienced discomfort at his official residence in Chennai on Tuesday evening. Despite being rushed to a private hospital for immediate medical attention, he could not be revived.
Born on March 15, 1969, in Thanjavur, he hailed from Minnal village near Arakkonam in the erstwhile North Arcot district, now part of Vellore. He was the son of R Jaiprasad, a retired district and sessions judge who served in various judicial roles across Tamil Nadu.
Justice Prasad completed his schooling at Voorhees Higher Secondary School in Vellore before pursuing higher education in Chennai. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Loyola College, followed by a master’s degree in history and a law degree from the University of Delhi.
Enrolling as an advocate in 1997, he began his legal career under senior advocate A Ilango and went on to establish an independent practice. He served as standing counsel for several key institutions, including the Chennai Port Trust, Coimbatore Municipal Corporation, and the Food Corporation of India.
His legal practice covered a broad spectrum of cases, earning him wide respect in the profession. In 2021, he was elevated to the bench of the Madras High Court, where he adjudicated matters across diverse legal domains.
Known for his meticulous legal reasoning and fairness, Justice Prasad carved a distinct place for himself in the judiciary.
Condolences have poured in from colleagues, members of the Bar, and legal luminaries across Tamil Nadu. Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family soon.
He is survived by his wife and two children.
With inputs from IANS. Edited for clarity and style.