Madras Bar Association writes to CJI to trace retd judge V Sivagnanam missing in Nepal flood

The Madras Bar Association has written to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant seeking urgent government intervention to locate former Madras High Court judge Justice V Sivagnanam, who has been missing in Nepal since August 26 following severe flash floods in the region.

The association, in a letter signed by president VA Kamalanathan and secretary J Pothiraj, urged the Chief Justice to direct the Union government to treat the matter as a top priority and take all necessary measures to trace Justice Sivagnanam. The plea comes as the Delhi Tamil Advocates Association also wrote to CJI Surya Kant, emphasizing the gravity of the situation and requesting immediate assistance from authorities.

According to the letters, Justice Sivagnanam was traveling in Nepal with fellow pilgrims when flash floods struck the area. While other pilgrims in a separate bus were rescued near the APF Nepal Border Outpost at Timure, Justice Sivagnanam could not be reached. His last contact with his wife was on August 26. Rescued pilgrims reportedly informed the family that his bus was located just 100–200 meters away from their own, raising concerns about his safety.

Justice Sivagnanam, who served as a judge in the Madras High Court for 34 years, retired before being designated a senior advocate by the Supreme Court in July 2025. The bar associations have called for immediate coordination between Indian and Nepalese authorities to locate and ensure his safe return.

The floods in Nepal have resulted in at least 903 deaths and left over 4,000 people missing. Nepal’s foreign ministry reported that 886 people have been rescued, with search operations ongoing. Among the missing, 400 are foreign nationals. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated that 149 Indians have been rescued, while 598 others safely crossed into Nepal from China in recent days. Around 900 Indian nationals remain on the Chinese side but are reported safe and contactable.

Efforts to trace Justice Sivagnanam continue as authorities coordinate across borders to locate the missing judge.

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