Legal fraternity shocked by Justice P Keshava Rao's death

The Telangana High Court's sitting judge died due to cardiac arrest Monday morning

Justice P Keshava Rao, a sitting judge of Telangana High Court, passed away on Monday morning following a cardiac arrest. He breathed his last at a corporate hospital in Hyderabad where he was being treated for a serious ailment for the past few weeks.

The untimely death of Justice Rao, who turned 60 in March this year, has shocked the Indian legal fraternity. He is survived by his wife and two sons.

Born on 29 March 1961, Justice Rao studied law at the Kakatiya University, Waranga and enrolled with the Bar Council of Andhra Pradesh in 1986.

He established his independent practice in 1996 and practiced in various branches of the law including Constitutional, Civil, Criminal and Election-related cases.

He represented the undivided Andhra Pradesh as a Government Pleader.

In March 2010, he was appointed as Special Standing Counsel for CBI (Special Public Prosecutor) and continued on the post till April 2016.

He was elevated to the Bench as a Judge of the High Court of Judicature for the State of Telangana and the State of Andhra Pradesh and assumed charge on 21 September 2017.

Work in Telangana High Court and subordinate courts in the State was suspended for a day as a mark of respect for the departed soul.

"I am deeply saddened to learn about the untimely demise of Justice P. Keshava Rao garu. I have personally known him as a diligent and compassionate Judge. In his 35 year-long association with the legal profession in diverse capacities, he had contributed immensely in promoting the cause of justice," Chief Justice of India, N.V. Ramana said in his condolence message.

"His services will be sorely missed by the judicial fraternity in general and High Court of Telangana in particular. My heartfelt condolences to members of the bereaved family," Chief Justice Ramana, said.

Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan expressed deep shock at the untimely passing away of Justice Keshava Rao.

The Governor conveyed her condolences to the members of the bereaved family and said that Justice Keshava Rao was known for his knowledge and services rendered in the field of judiciary.

In his death, the country and especially Telangana lost a great legal luminary, the Governor said in a statement issued by the Raj Bhawan.

In a condolence message, the Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao recalled the service Justice Rao had rendered to the poor as a judge. He conveyed his condolence to members of the bereaved family and directed chief secretary Somesh Kumar to accord a state funeral to the departed judge.