Justice K. John Mathew, former Kerala HC judge and senior Supreme Court advocate, dies at 93

Justice K. John Mathew, former judge of Kerala High Court and senior advocate in the Supreme Court, passed away at his residence in Kochi on Thursday (November 6, 2025). He was 93.

He started practice as an advocate in Thiruvalla in 1954, before moving his practice to Kochi in 1959. He 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 1989 earned him a place in the Limca Book of Records. His disposal of 2,019 cases from June 19 to 22 in 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 set up by the Kerala government in 2005 to study the effects of mineral sand mining along the coast 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 also 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.

His wife, Gracy, predeceased him in 2004. He is survived by his daughters Susan Ajith, Mary Joy and Annie Thomas.

Funeral

His mortal remains will be brought to his residence at Veekshanam Road in Kochi by 7.30 am on Saturday (November 8, 2025).

Public viewing will be held at St. Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral’s Elamkulam Cemetery Chapel from 9.30 a.m., followed by the funeral at 11.30 a.m.