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Rescue Mission In Nepal: New Clue Emerges In Missing Judge Case
Chennai/New Delhi: A fresh concern has emerged amid Nepal’s deadly flood disaster as retired Madras High Court judge Justice V Sivagnanam continues to remain untraceable days after flash floods swept through parts of the country.
The Madras Bar Association (MBA) has written to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of External Affairs, seeking urgent intervention and stronger coordination between Indian and Nepalese authorities to trace the former judge and ensure his safe return.
The Delhi Tamil Advocates Association (DTAA) has also approached the CJI, requesting immediate assistance from government agencies after efforts to locate Justice Sivagnanam remained unsuccessful.
The development has intensified concerns as Nepal continues to battle a major flood crisis, with several people, including pilgrims and foreign nationals, still missing in affected regions.
Justice V Sivagnanam was travelling in Nepal with a group of Tamil pilgrims when flash floods struck the Rasuwa region near the Nepal-China border on August 26. According to details shared by legal associations, the retired judge last contacted his wife on the same day through a communication call. Since then, there has been no confirmed contact with him.
The sudden floods damaged roads, bridges and communication networks across several areas, making rescue operations extremely challenging. Mountain terrain, landslides and disrupted connectivity have slowed down search efforts in many affected locations.
A possible breakthrough emerged after survivors from another bus shared information about Justice Sivagnanam’s vehicle. According to the Delhi Tamil Advocates Association’s communication, passengers travelling in another bus were rescued near the Armed Police Force (APF) Nepal Border Outpost at Timure.
The rescued passengers reportedly informed the family that Justice Sivagnanam’s bus was only around 100 to 200 metres away from their vehicle when the flash floods struck. This information has become a key lead for authorities involved in the search operation, while concerns over the safety of passengers travelling in the area continue to grow.
The Madras Bar Association (MBA) has urged authorities to treat the search operation as a matter of highest priority. In its letter signed by association president V A Kamalanathan and secretary J Pothiraj, the body requested immediate steps to strengthen coordination between Indian officials and Nepalese authorities.
The association has sought regular updates for Justice Sivagnanam’s family and urged agencies to use all possible resources to trace the retired judge. The legal community has expressed deep concern over the situation and appealed for swift action as rescue teams continue operations in flood-hit areas.
Before the Madras Bar Association’s appeal, the Delhi Tamil Advocates Association had written to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on August 30, requesting intervention in the matter. The association highlighted that while several fellow pilgrims travelling with the group were rescued, Justice Sivagnanam could not be located.
It requested that the matter be forwarded to government authorities for immediate action and coordination to establish his whereabouts. The association stressed that the priority remains ensuring the safety of the retired judge and facilitating his return to India.
Justice V Sivagnanam has had an extensive judicial career spanning nearly 34 years. Before becoming a judge of the Madras High Court, he served in the district judiciary and built a long career in the Indian legal system.
He retired from the Madras High Court in 2025 after years of judicial service. Following his retirement, the Supreme Court designated him as a Senior Advocate in July 2025, recognising his experience and contribution to the legal field. The news of his disappearance has caused widespread concern among judges, lawyers and members of the legal fraternity.
The search for Justice Sivagnanam is taking place during one of Nepal’s most devastating flood situations. The flash floods triggered by intense rainfall and sudden river surges have caused widespread destruction across mountainous regions. Several villages have been affected, roads have been washed away and communication networks have been disrupted.
Rescue teams are working under difficult conditions as they search for missing people in remote and inaccessible areas. The disaster has also affected several Indian nationals travelling through Nepal, prompting Indian authorities to coordinate with local agencies for rescue and assistance.
Following requests from legal bodies, Indian authorities are expected to continue coordination with Nepalese agencies involved in rescue operations. Officials are likely to rely on information from survivors, local authorities and ground teams to track missing individuals. The focus remains on locating Justice Sivagnanam and other missing passengers as rescue operations continue across flood-affected areas.
The coming days will be crucial as rescue teams intensify searches in areas impacted by flash floods and landslides. Authorities are expected to examine all available leads, including information shared by rescued passengers, while continuing ground operations. For Justice Sivagnanam’s family, colleagues and the wider legal community, the search remains a race against time amid Nepal’s ongoing flood emergency.
