The Madras Bar Association has formally requested the Prime Minister and the Chief Justice of India to accelerate search operations for retired Judge V. Sivagnanam, missing since August 26 following catastrophic floods in Nepal.
- Retired Madras HC Judge V. Sivagnanam missing since August 26, 2026, in Nepal.
- Madras Bar Association has petitioned the CJI, Prime Minister, and MEA for urgent intervention.
- Nepal floods have caused massive devastation with over 900 deaths and 4,000+ missing.
The Madras Bar Association (MBA) has escalated its plea for the rescue of Justice V. Sivagnanam, a retired judge of the Madras High Court, who disappeared amidst the catastrophic flash floods currently ravaging Nepal. In a formal communication addressed to the Chief Justice of India, the Prime Minister, and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the association has urged the Indian government to deploy all available diplomatic and consular resources to locate the missing jurist.
Justice Sivagnanam, who served the district judiciary for nearly thirty years before his elevation to the High Court in 2020, retired in 2025. Following his retirement, he was designated as a senior advocate by the Supreme Court. He had traveled to Nepal as part of a group of Tamil pilgrims when the sudden flash floods struck the region, cutting off communication and causing widespread destruction.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that this incident highlights the vulnerability of Indian citizens during natural disasters in neighboring regions and the critical role of consular coordination. The involvement of the Madras Bar Association underscores the legal community's solidarity and the high profile of the missing person, which may expedite diplomatic pressure on Nepalese authorities to prioritize the search.
"The coordination between the MEA and local Nepalese authorities is paramount when dealing with high-profile missing persons in disaster zones to ensure verified information reaches the kin."
The scale of the disaster in Nepal is staggering. Official reports indicate that the flash floods have claimed 903 lives, with approximately 4,247 people still reported missing. The situation is further complicated by weather conditions that have hampered air rescue operations near the Nepal-China border.
The letter, signed by MBA President V.R. Kamalanathan and Secretary J. Pothiraj, emphasizes the mental agony of the judge's family. The association has specifically demanded a dedicated point of contact to provide the family with verified, real-time updates rather than fragmented reports.
| Metric | Current Status (Nepal Floods) |
|---|---|
| Confirmed Deaths | 903 |
| Reported Missing | 4,247 |
| Affected Indians | Hundreds stranded/missing |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Who is Justice V. Sivagnanam?
He is a retired judge of the Madras High Court and a Supreme Court-designated senior advocate who went missing while on a pilgrimage to Nepal.
Q2: What actions has the Madras Bar Association taken?
The association has written to the Prime Minister, the CJI, and the MEA requesting intensified search efforts and a dedicated communication channel for the family.
