Supreme Court Judge Justice Mohan M Shanatanagoudar dies at 62

Sitting Judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Mohan M Shantanagoudar died at a private hospital in Gurgaon on 25 April 2021, at the age of 62.

Justice Shantanagoudar enrolled as an Advocate on 05 September 1980. He practiced for one year at Dharwad in the Chambers of Sri I.G. Hiregoudar, Advocate before shifting practice of Bengaluru. Joined the Chambers of Sri Shivaraj V. Patil, Advocate (as he then was), who later adorned the Supreme Court of India. Started independent practice in the year 1984. Practiced mainly in Civil, Criminal and Constitutional matters.

Justice Shantanagoudar was also part of the nine-judge bench which unanimously upheld the 3:2 majority decision of a five-judge bench in the Sabarimala matter to refer to a larger bench, certain questions of law arising out of petitions seeking review of its September 2018 judgement lifting age restrictions on entry of women to the hill shrine.

He served as Vice-Chairman of Karnataka State Bar Council from 1991 to 1993 and as Chairman of Karnataka State Bar Council during 1995 and 1996. Served as State Public Prosecutor of Karnataka State from 1999 to 2002.

He was appointed as Additional Judge of the Karnataka High Court in May 2003 and as Permanent Judge in September 2004. He has served as the President of Bangalore Mediation Centre and Karnataka Judicial Academy.

On transfer, he was sworn-in as Judge of the Kerala High Court. He assumed charge as Acting Chief Justice of the Court in August 2016 and was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the High Court of Kerala on 22 September 2016.

Justice Shantanagoudar was elevated as Judge of the Supreme Court of India on 17th February, 2017.