Former Madras High Court judge and Senior Advocate Justice Veerasamy Sivagnanam (Retd.) has remained untraceable after devastating flash floods and landslides hit Nepal, prompting the Delhi Tamil Advocates Association to seek urgent intervention from Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and the Government of India.
Justice Sivagnanam was visiting Nepal with a group of Tamil pilgrims when the disaster struck. According to the Association’s appeal to the CJI, a group photograph taken aboard the bus confirmed that the former judge was travelling with the pilgrims.
The Association said Justice Sivagnanam last contacted his wife through a WhatsApp call in the early hours of August 26. His family has received no communication from him since then.
Other Bus Was Around 100–200 Metres Away
The appeal referred to information received from passengers of another bus who were subsequently rescued near the Armed Police Force (APF) Nepal Border Outpost at Timure.
According to the Association, those passengers informed Justice Sivagnanam’s family that the bus carrying him was positioned only about 100–200 metres from their vehicle.
With his whereabouts still unknown, the Delhi Tamil Advocates Association has requested the CJI to forward its appeal to the Government of India and other authorities concerned so that immediate measures can be taken to locate him. It has also sought information about his safety and assistance in securing his safe return to India.
Justice Sivagnanam’s Judicial Career
Justice Sivagnanam has had a legal and judicial career spanning 34 years. He entered the Tamil Nadu State Judicial Service in the early 1990s and served in the subordinate judiciary in various capacities, including as District and Sessions Judge across several jurisdictions.
He was elevated as a judge of the Madras High Court in 2020 and dealt with civil, family and writ matters during his tenure. Following his retirement from the High Court, the Supreme Court designated him as a Senior Advocate in July 2025.
Over 2,500 People Reported Missing In Nepal
The disaster has caused widespread casualties in Nepal. The death toll from the flash floods had risen to 788 by Sunday, while 2,502 people remained missing.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), 9,435 people had been rescued from flood-affected areas.
