The Delhi Tamil Advocates Association has issued an urgent appeal to the Chief Justice of India and the Government of India seeking immediate assistance in tracing former Madras High Court judge and Senior Advocate Justice Veerasamy Sivagnanam (Retd.), who has been missing in Nepal since August 26, 2026. The Association stated that Justice Sivagnanam was part of a group of Tamil pilgrims travelling in Nepal when severe floods and landslides struck the region on that date.
According to the Association, Justice Sivagnanam spoke to his wife over a WhatsApp call in the early hours of August 26, after which no further communication has been received from him. The appeal referenced a group photograph taken aboard a bus that reportedly confirmed his presence among the pilgrims. Additionally, individuals travelling in another bus who were rescued near the Armed Police Force (APF) Nepal Border Outpost at Timure informed Justice Sivagnanam’s family that his bus was approximately 100–200 metres away from their vehicle at the time of the disaster, heightening concerns about his safety and whereabouts.
The Association urged the Chief Justice of India to forward its appeal to the Government of India and the concerned authorities and to take all possible and immediate steps to locate Justice Sivagnanam, ascertain his safety, and facilitate his safe return to India. It emphasized that the appeal was made under the guidance of its Patron President, Justice S Nagamuthu (Retd.), Senior Advocate, and its President, PV Yogeswaran, Advocate-on-Record.
The Association highlighted Justice Sivagnanam’s judicial career, noting that he served as a judge of the Madras High Court for nearly 34 years and was designated a Senior Advocate by the Supreme Court of India with effect from July 23, 2025. The development occurred amid a broader flood and landslide emergency in Nepal, during which several Tamil pilgrims were reported missing. Earlier reports indicated that 20 pilgrims had taken refuge at the APF outpost in Timure, while efforts continued to trace others whose whereabouts remained uncertain.
The appeal was made on behalf of the Delhi Tamil Advocates Association, which called for urgent intervention by the relevant authorities to address the humanitarian concern arising from the natural disaster in Nepal and the potential risk to the life of a retired judicial officer who had served the Indian judiciary for decades. The Association did not allege any wrongdoing or speculate on the circumstances beyond the factual basis of the missing person report and the appeal for state assistance.
The Association’s request centered on seeking official coordination between the Chief Justice of India’s office, the Ministry of External Affairs, and Nepalese authorities to initiate search and rescue operations, verify information from local sources, and ensure consular access if required. It framed the appeal as a necessary step to uphold the duty of care owed to citizens abroad, particularly those who have contributed significantly to public life.
The statement did not include any allegations, inferences, or conclusions about Justice Sivagnanam’s condition beyond the absence of contact since August 26. It relied solely on the information provided by the pilgrims’ group, the WhatsApp call record, and the proximity report from the rescued bus passengers. The Association affirmed that its appeal was made in good faith and in accordance with established protocols for seeking governmental assistance in cases of missing nationals during overseas emergencies.