He is a distinguished jurist and an acclaimed author specialising in Constitutional Law and Administrative Law, having been at the Bar for over thirty-eight years. He was also Government Advocate, High Court of Karnataka (1999-2006) and handled important and sensitive litigation on behalf of the State.
He is a contributor to the Restatement of Indian Law on Legislative Privileges, a project of the Supreme Court. A renowned author, whose writings have been quoted at the Supreme Court and High Courts. His writings have included from checks and balances to rule of law and constitutional adjudication to the law of writs. Due to his academic profoundness, he is often referred to as a legal philosopher and is one mainly responsible for the part played by reason and theory in the law.
L to R: V Sudhish Pai, Senior Advocate, High Court of Karnataka; Sameer Kochhar, Chairman, SKOCH Group
He has also perfected the art of judicial biographies and in doing so, he has accentuated the true meaning of the Bar as a learned profession. He was a Visiting Chair Professor, Asutosh Mookerjee Chair in WBNUJS, Kolkata and is a resource person at the National Judicial Academy, Bhopal for continuing legal education for serving judges not only in India but overseas as well.
V Sudhish Pai, is a distinguished lawyer and jurist, and an acclaimed author. His contribution to academics, particularly in the area of critical constitutional analysis, has been substantial and significant. He was a Visiting Chair Professor, Asutosh Mookerjee Chair in WBNUJS, Kolkata and is a resource person at the National Judicial Academy, Bhopal for continuing legal education for judges.
SKOCH Award, independently instituted in 2003, is India’s honest civilian honour conferred by an independent organisation as a third party assessment. It is the only award in the country that is based on feltneeds assessment and outcome evaluation based on evidence. It therefore, recognises people, projects and institutions that go the extra mile to make India a better nation.
SKOCH Award covers the best of efforts in the area of digital, financial and social inclusion. It encompasses the best of governance, inclusive growth, excellence in technology and applications, change management, corporate leadership, corporate governance, citizen service delivery, capacity building, empowerment and other such softer issues that get normally lost in the glamour and glitz of industry sponsored or advertising focused jamborees.
The SKOCH Award not only acknowledges exceptional achievers – organisations and individuals – but also spurs institutional guidance and best practices in the industry.
The book is the journey and evolution of Justice Venkatachaliah, who became a revered judge, a judge of the masses.
It covers the life and times of a man who started his life from the bar and took it to the bench and whose legacy will mark a period in the history of Indian Jurisdiction. A man of law of a select band, an erudite scholar and a saintly person, Justice Venkatachaliah is one of the most illustrious and revered judges.
The book says he is among the few who have occupied the highest positions without being touched by the pomp and paraphernalia of office and without compromising the highest standards of integrity and independence.
To study his life and work is to share in a rich and awesome heritage, which will benefit both the lawyer and the layman. The book is an admirable timely reminder of the great values that his life and work represent and his abiding influence on our lives and thinking, illuminating the landscape with his radiance.
L to R:V Sudhish Pai, Senior Advocate, High Court of Karnataka: Sameer Kochhar, Chairman, SKOCH Group
It is given to very few by Destiny that their virtues are equal to their genius and their character is distinguished not by a few admirable prominences, but is uniformly elevated. Justice Venkatachaliah belongs to that exceptional class. A man of law of a select band, an erudite scholar and a saintly person, he is one of our most illustrious and revered judges. He is among the few who have occupied the highest positions without being touched by the pomp and paraphernalia of office and without compromising the highest standards of integrity and independence.
Justice M N Venkatachaliah – The Man & The Judge, presents the journey and evolution of the man who became a revered judge, whose legacy will continue to inspire generations to come. The book contains a fairly comprehensive biographical sketch of Justice Venkatachaliah and editorial notes on almost all his reported judgments in the Suprem Court and the High Court, besides some of his speeches and writings. His judgments are masterpieces of judicial exposition.
