Mahadev Shankar, respected lawyer and judge

Mahadev Shankar, a highly respected lawyer and retired Court of Appeal judge, passed away in a hospital in Shah Alam on the morning of the 27th. Born in 1932, he was 94 when he died. His death marked the end of a life dedicated to the law and public service. His expertise as a lawyer and jurist ensured his inclusion in two significant royal commissions of inquiry that held great importance.

His appointment was seen as a way for the government to regain credibility, as it faced criticism over several contentious issues. The first commission, held in February 1999, focused on the injuries Anwar Ibrahim sustained during his detention under the Internal Security Act in September 1998. The other, convened in January 2008, examined the credibility of a video clip showing lawyer VK Lingam in a phone call where he attempted to influence the appointment of judges.

Both commissions were instituted in response to the public pressure that the government faced, and Mahadev's participation served as a testament to his integrity and the esteem in which he was held. Mahadev was born in Kuala Lumpur and showed exceptional academic prowess at Victoria Institution. His initial plans to become a doctor were derailed when his father encouraged him to pursue law at Inner Temple.

He commenced his legal practice in 1956 and successfully handled numerous high-profile cases until he retired from active practice in 1983. Appointed as a judge of the High Court in 1984, he was later elevated to the Court of Appeal in 1994, where he remained until his retirement in 1997. In 2021, he published his memoir, "Summum Bonum: The Ultimate Good," which provided a detailed account of his life and career in the legal profession.

Despite his visual impairment, Mahadev managed to document his experiences, showcasing remarkable resilience. Terence Netto, a senior journalist and FMT reader, expressed his thoughts on the matter, emphasizing that the views expressed were his own and did not reflect those of FMT.