Justice O Chinnappa Reddy, one of the highly respected members of the Indian judiciary, died at his jubilee hills residence on Saturday evening. He was born at Gooty in Anantapur district on September 25, 1922 and is survived by son and two daughters.
Justice Reddy was educated at London Mission High School, Gooty, Madras Loyola College and Madras Law College. He enrolled as an advocate in the Madras High Court in 1944. Later, he practiced in the AP high court and became popular as a civil and criminal lawyer. He was appointed public prosecutor in 1960 and continued till his appointment as additional judge of the AP high court on August 21, 1967. He became a permanent judge on November 27, 1967. He was transferred to Punjab and Haryana high court in 1976. He was re-transferred as judge of the AP high court from September 9, 1977. Justice Reddy was appointed as judge of the Supreme Court from January 17, 1978 and continued in the post for about 10 years. After his retirement on September 24, 1987, Justice Reddy became chairman of the Karnataka BC commission.
Justice Chinnappa Reddy was admired for his many pro-active judgments which were defined as the modern Constitution of India. He was a humanist and an activist judge whose contribution to the cause of humanity and to the growth of human rights jurisprudence has been very significant. He is the author of a book titled “The Court and the Constitution of India: Summits and Shallows” which provides an insight into role of the Supreme Court in interpreting the main themes of the Constitution and in formulating contemporary public law in India. He held all the positions with great distinction.
Justice Reddy had delivered several remarkable judgments relating to human rights and was described as pro-poor.
On hearing the news of his demise, several sitting and former judges, high court advocates and others visited his residence and paid condolences to the bereaved family. Funeral will take place on Sunday between 11 am and 12 noon.