Prof. Rajesh Rajagopal passed away

Prof. Rajesh Rajagopal
Photo: Government Law College Ernakulam

By Nebil Nizar

Kollam: Celebrated teacher of Law at His Highness Maharajah's Government Law College Ernakulam, Prof. Rajesh Rajagopal, aged 42, passed away at his residence in Cochin on Sunday, 13th January 2013 following a cardiac arrest.

A native of Kollam, Professor Rajesh earned his undergraduate law degree from Kerala Law Academy Law College, University of Kerala, and LL.M in Criminal Law from Cochin University of Science and Technology, with Gold medal.

Rajesh was a very active leftist thinker during his student days. He belonged to the early batch of mooters of the very prestigious Kerala Law Academy Moot Court Society.

He practiced Law at Kollam District Court for several years. His career as a Law teacher began at Government Law College Calicut. He was then transferred to Government Law College Thiruvananthapuram. His last posting was at Government Law College Ernakulam.

Prof. Manoj Krishna, his Professor, friend and later colleague, remembers Rajesh as a very good friend. He added 'Rajesh was a good teacher. His analytical skills were very popular and second to none. As a teacher, he went along with the students and supported them in every curricular and extra curricular activities. He was a real asset to the teaching fraternity.'.

Niaz Salim, Prosecutor, Indian Railways, remember their association at college days. He said 'Rajesh was my senior at college, but seniority in age never acted as a barrier to our friendship. We always stayed in constant touch all this years. He was a sincere, down to earth intellectual who always helped others in need'.

His former student at Government Law College Thiruvananthapuram, Parvathi Janaki, speaking to us said 'He played a huge role in shaping my career. I remember some valuable moments with him during moot court time. His contributions must be really appreciated. He was a real visionary and guru.'

Prof. Rajesh is the son of Dr.V.K Vijayalakshmi and late Advocate-Politician N. Rajagopal. He is survived by wife Bindu V (Engineer, BSNL) and son Arjun Rajagopal. Condolence messages may be sent to Dr. Vijayalakshmi, Lakshmi Nivas, Kankathumukku, Thirumullavaram P.O, Kollam- 691012, Kerala.



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T P Kelu Nambiar, Senior Advocate, Dies at 85

By NEBIL NIZAR

Thiruvananthapuram: Senior Lawyer and Constitutional Expert TP Kelu Nambiar, 85, passed away at his residence in Cochin on 16^th September 2012 following a cardiac arrest in sleep.

Senior Adv. T P Kelu Nambiar
Photo: The New Indian Express

TPK Nambiar was a respectful, courteous, competent and open-minded soul who spoke his convictions without fear or favour. His friends and well-wishers at Bar, Bench and Academia remember him as an erudite lawyer and academician. Nambiar also believed that it was his duty to correct a Judge. He was a no nonsense man.

TPK Nambiar after his schooling from Ooty and Pre University from Madras Christian College studied Economics at St. Aloysius College, Mangalore. After a short stint as a School Teacher, he decided make law his mistress. He then joined Madras Law College (now Dr. Ambedkar Government Law College, Chennai), where he completed his Bachelors in Law (BL).  He is also a Masters in Law(ML) in Criminal Laws from University of Madras.

He enrolled as an Advocate in the Madras High Court in 1954. Joined the chambers of his father-in-law and leading civil lawyer A Achuthen Nambiar. In 1956, after the formation of High Court of Kerala, he shifted his practice there.

Speaking to TheTimes of India, Adv. Kaleeshwaram Raj said: Nambiar was a three in one personality, a good lawyer, a teacher and a good writer.

He was the lawyer for Kerala Public Service Commission for 17years. He was also the lawyer for Goa Public Service Commission. Standing Counsel for Kerala and MG University. Also Lawyer for Reserve Bank of India(RBI), State Bank of India (SBI), Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), United India Insurance Company,  Sree Chithira Thirunal Institute of Medical Sciences, Kerala Cashew Development Corporation (KCDC), Rehabilitation Plantation Corporation.

He was the patron of legal reporter Kerala Law Times. TPK Nambiar published a book comprising a collection of his articles in the title ‘Nambiar’s Miscellany’.

He contributed to the academia as well. He was a member of Board of Studies of MG University and member of Faculty of Law, Kerala University. He was appointed as a lecturer by the Bar Council of Kerala for the law apprentices and by the High Court for Trainee Munsiffs and Magistrates.

He also taught law for five years at His Highness Maharajah’s Government Law College Ernakulam. His students then include Union Cabinet Ministers- A.K Antony and Vayalar Ravi; Kerala Chief Minister Oomen Chandy, Former Chief Justice of India Dr. K G Balakrishnan, former High Court Judge K Narayana Kurup.

His wife and three children survive him. Condolence messages may be sent to Dr. Hemalatha Nambiar, ‘Anamika’, Karakkat Road, Kochi-16, Kerala, India.