Justice S. Siri Jagan, a former judge of the Kerala High Court known for his impactful judicial service and post-retirement public roles, passed away on Saturday at a private hospital in Kochi. He was 74 years old and had been undergoing treatment for an illness.
Born on January 22, 1952, in Mayyanad, Kollam, Justice Jagan had a distinguished academic and professional journey. He earned his law degree from Government Law College, Thiruvananthapuram, and later completed his LLM at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT).
Justice Siri Jagan was elevated to the Bench of the Kerala High Court in February 2005. During his nine-year tenure, he was respected for his deep understanding of law and his commitment to justice. He retired from the High Court in 2014, but his service to the legal and social fabric of Kerala continued through several high-profile appointments.
Notably, he served as the Chairman of the Sabarimala High Power Committee, overseeing the implementation of court orders at the hill shrine. He also made significant headlines as the head of the Supreme Court-appointed committee to determine compensation for victims of stray dog attacks in Kerala—a role where he was often noted for his empathy toward the common man.
In recent years, Justice Jagan took on diverse administrative responsibilities. He served as the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS) and was recently appointed as the administrator of Indus Motors Company Pvt Ltd by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).
He is survived by his wife, Dr. Jayalakshmi, and two daughters. The legal fraternity has expressed deep grief over his demise, remembering him as a judge who balanced legal rigor with a human touch.
The cremation is scheduled to be held later today at the Ravipuram crematorium in Kochi.