The Madras Bar Association (MBA) on Monday, wrote to the Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant , seeking “urgent” intervention from the Union government to trace former Madras High Court judge, justice V Sivagnanam, who has been untraceable in Nepal since August 26, after flash floods hit the country.
The MBA wrote to CJI and the Prime Minister’s Office, urging that efforts to trace the retired judge be “intensified.”
he could not be reached While persons travelling in another bus were rescued. Track LIVE updates on Nepal floods here On August 30, the Delhi Tamil Advocates Association (DTAA) too wrote to CJI, urging him to intervene and ask government authorities to help trace the retired judge. He last contacted his wife on August 26. At least 903 people have died and over 4,000 people are still missing in the aftermath of deadly floods that hit Nepal-Tibet border. 886 people have been rescued, while search and rescue efforts continue, according to Nepal’s foreign ministry. The ministry said 400 foreign nationals are among those reported missing. The ministry of external affairs on Sunday said 149 Indians were rescued in Nepal. “Furthermore, 598 Indian nationals have safely crossed into Nepal from China in the last two days, as per local government sources in China. Around 900 Indian nationals are still on the Chinese side but are safe and contactable,” an MEA release dated August 29 had said.
In a letter signed by MBA president VA Kamalanathan and secretary J Pothiraj, the Bar urged the CJI to direct the Union government to treat the matter as “urgent and of highest priority” and to take “all possible effort and measures” to search for justice Sivagnanam. Justice Sivagnanam was travelling in Nepal with fellow pilgrims when flash floods struck, according to the letters. The Delhi Bar body said the rescued pilgrims provided information about the location of his bus.
