K. T. Thomas (judge)
Justice K. T. Thomas | |
---|---|
Judge of the Supreme Court of India | |
In office 29 March 1996 – 30 January 2002 | |
Judge of the Kerala High Court | |
In office 12 August 1985 – 26 March 1996 | |
District and Sessions Judge | |
In office 12 September 1977 – 11 August 1985 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Kottayam, Travancore, British Raj | 30 January 1937
Citizenship | Indian |
Residence | Kottayam |
Education | B.A., B.L |
Awards | Padma Bhushan (2007) |
Signature | |
Kallupurackal Thomas Thomas (born 30 January 1937) is an Indian former judge who served on the Supreme Court of India and is known for his strong opinions on Indian socio-political matters. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the Indian government in 2007 for services in the field of social affairs.[1]
Biography
K. T. Thomas was born in
Thomas retired from service in 2002 and lives at Muttambalam in Kottayam district. His autobiography, Honeybees of Solomon, published in 2008, is an account of his judicial service of 25 years,[4] which has since been published in Malayalam in the name Solomontae Theneechakal.[5] His son, Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, who was one of the youngest to be a designated Senior Advocate of the Kerala High Court was sworn in as an Additional Judge of the Kerala High Court in March 2020.
Notable judgement
Justice Thomas presided over the Supreme Court bench that confirmed the death sentence in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.[6]
Political positions
Justice Thomas is very vocal in expressing his views.
His recommendations on the fee structure for professional education in Kerala at unaided institutions also drew opposition from the institution owners.[7]
In August 2011, he made a public speech where he exonerated RSS from the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi[8] which generated heated public debate.[9]
His opposition to the Communal and Targeted Violence bill also created a stir. He termed the Bill to be divisive and against the constitution of India.[10]
Though Justice Thomas wrote a dissenting note on the report of the Empowered Committee regarding the maintenance of the water level at
In the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, he opined in 2013 that the three accused sentenced to death should be spared from capital punishment due to the delay of 23 years in carrying out the punishment.[12]
In March 2014, Thomas declined the offer of the
Awards
- Padma Bhushan Award by Government of India, 2007.[1]
Positions held
- District and Sessions Judge, Kottayam – 1977
- Additional District and Sessions Judge, Calicut – 1979
- Principal District and Sessions Judge, Calicut – 1981
- Additional Justice, High Court of Kerala – 1985
- Permanent Justice, High Court of Kerala – 1986
- Acting Chief Justice, High Court of Kerala – 1995
- Justice, Supreme Court of India – 1996
- Chairman – Justice K. T. Thomas Committee on Unaided professional colleges[15] – 2003
- Chairman of the Police Reforms Monitoring Committee constituted by the Supreme Court[12]
- Chairman of the School Review Commission to review the functioning of National Law School of India University, Bangalore[12]
Mukhyarakshaadhikaary of Sevabharathy(A part of RSS) KOTTAYAM.[12]
Bibliography
- Honeybees Of Solomon - Memoirs Of A Jurist - Autobiography (English & Malayalam) - 2008[16]
- Nyayapeetathilethummunpu - Malayalam - 2015[17]
- Mullapperiyar Dam: Chila Velippeduthalukal - Malayalam - 2016[18]
- Vaidyan Chikilsikkunnu Daivam Saukhyamakkunnu - Malayalam - 2018[19]
- Kottayathinte Kadha - Malayalam - 2021[20]
- Kuttakruthyangalude Daivasasthram - Malayalam - 2022[21]
- Momentous Challenges in Two Decades[22]
References
- ^ a b "Padma Awards 2007". Outlookindia.com. Archived from the original on 5 May 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
- ^ a b Justice K.T. Thomas
- ^ "Former Judges". Supreme Court of India. Archived from the original on 8 July 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
- ^ "Honeybees of Solomon Justice K.T. Thomas 9788121209663". gyanbooks.com. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
- ^ "Book by Justice K T Thomas released". Newindianexpress.com. Archived from the original on 5 May 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
- ^ On (1 June 2013). "Justice Speaking: Capital punishment in India is "judge centric", says Justice K T Thomas | Live Law". Livelaw.in. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
- ^ "Fee structure: stirring up a hornets' nest". The Hindu. 1 June 2004. Archived from the original on 28 June 2004. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
- YouTube
- ^ "Justice K T Thomas must know the truth of the RSS | NewsGrab". Cmpaul.wordpress.com. 14 August 2011. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
- ^ India, Karsevak (25 October 2011). "Karsevak India: Justice KT Thomas opposes Communal & Targeted violence bill, Terms it 'Divisive'". Karsevakindia.blogspot.ae. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
- ^ J. Venkatesan (25 April 2012). "Mullaperiyar dam structurally & hydrologically safe: panel". The Hindu. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
- ^ a b c d On (1 June 2013). "Justice Speaking: Capital punishment in India is "judge centric", says Justice K T Thomas | Live Law". Livelaw.in. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
- ^ J. Venkatesan (3 March 2014). "K.T. Thomas refuses to head Lokpal search panel". The Hindu. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
- ^ V.K. Joy (23 March 2014). "Kerala Catholic Community കേരളത്തിലെ കത്തോലിക്കാസമൂഹം: Justice K T Thomas writes to CJI seeking action on Dushyant Dave's Letter". Joyvarocky.blogspot.ae. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
- ^ "officialwebsite of kerala.gov.in". Old.kerala.gov.in. Archived from the original on 18 April 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
- ISBN 978-9350357743.
- ISBN 978-8126407187.
- ISBN 978-8126438853.
- ISBN 978-8126476763.
- ^ Kottayathinte Kadha. 1 January 2021. ASIN B09MW1XP48.
- ^ Kuttakruthyangalude Daivasasthram. 1 March 2022. ASIN B0B4JX9R6R.
- ^ Momentous Challenges in Two Decades. 25 September 2022. ASIN B0BGJ7ZC11.
External links
- News on Padma bhushan award
- Profile on the Supreme Court of India web site
- on Parliament's use of amending powers
- Justice K T Thomas Committee
- Opinion on Death penalty
- on Rajiv Gandhi assassination case
- Letter to Prime Minister on Lokpal
- Speech on RSS on YouTube
- Final Report – People's Police Movement
- Indiavision interview on YouTube