Justice K John Mathew (93) – Former Judge - High Court of Kerala and Senior Advocate - Supreme Court of India passed away at his residence yesterday. Hailing from the Kattapurathu Family in Mepral, he started practice as an Advocate in Thiruvalla in 1954. He moved his practice to Cochin in 1959, became a Government Pleader in 1979 and Senior Government Pleader in 1982. He was a visiting Lecturer at the Department of Law – Cochin University from 1973 to 1977. Elevated as a Judge of the High Court of Kerala in 1984, he held that post till superannuation in 1994. His disposal of 28,221 cases in 209 working days in the year 1989
earned him a place in the Limca Book of Records. His disposal of 2019 cases from 19th to 22nd
June 1989, and 607 cases in a single day in the Company Jurisdiction is also noted as a Record.
On retirement, he was designated Senior Advocate by the Supreme Court and went on to practice in New Delhi till 2003. He headed the Commission setup by the Government of Kerala in 2005 to study the effects of Mineral Sand Mining along the coasts of Kerala, which recommended controlled mining. He was the Chairperson of the Selection Committee under the Juvenile Justice Act constituted by the Government of Kerala from 2009 to 2014.
He was appointed a SEBI Nominee Director and Chairman of the Cochin Stock Exchange from 2002 to 2007. He functioned as an Independent Director of Muthoot Finance Ltd. from 2008 to 2017. He served as President of the People’s Council for Social Justice (PCSJ) from 2001 to 2024. He was a Working Committee Member of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, a Board Member of the St. Gregorios Medical Mission Hospital, Parumala and the St. Mary’s Boys’ Home, Thalacode. He has headed the Ethics Committees of the Cardiological Society of
India, Lissie Hospital and Lourdes Hospital.
His wife Gracy – daughter of the Late TK Chakkunni IAS (Thekkekara – Kunnamkulam)
predeceased him in 2004. He is survived by his daughters Susan Ajith (Suma), Mary Joy (Suja) and Annie Thomas (Mini); and Sons in Law Ajith Mathew - Pullipadavil (Retired HNL), N.J. Joy - Naduparambil (Chartered Accountant) and Thomas Isaac - Madathimyalil (Business).
The Mortal Remains will be brought to his residence at Veekshanam Road at 730am on Saturday 08-11-2025. Prayers at the residence will commence at 830am. Public viewing will be arranged at
at St. Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral’s Elamkulam Cemetery Chapel from 930am followed by the Funeral at 1130am.
