K. Subba Rao
Encyclopedia
Justice K. Subba Rao or Koka Subba Rao (Telugu
: కోకా సుబ్బారావు) (born July 15, 1902 - May 6, 1976) was a judge and later the Chief Justice of India
at the Supreme Court of India
(1958-1967).Before becoming a judge at the Supreme Court he was the Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court
. ,
on the banks of Godavari river on July 15, 1902 in adi Velama
family. His father was a lawyer, died early. He graduated at Government Arts College, Rajamundry and studied law at Madras Law College. He was good sportsman and ever helpful to his friends.
After Venkata Raman Rao was elevated as Judge of Madras High Court, Subbarao partnered with gifted brother-in-law P. V. Rajamannar
, who later became Advocate-General and Chief Justice of Madras High Court. They commanded the cream of legal work from all parts of composite Madras state. He was elevated to the Bench in 1948.
After the separation of Andhra, Rajaji wanted to send Govinda Menon, a senior judge to head the Andhra Pradesh High Court to be established in Guntur in 1954. But Prakasam insisted on having Subbarao as the Special Officer to facilitate the formation of High Court. Automatically he became the Chief Justice.
When Sri Venkateswara University
was established at Tirupati in 1954, Subbarao became its first Chancellor
and remained in the position till the University Act was amended restoring the Chancellorship to the Governor.
After tenures as a judge at Madras High Court
and a Chief Justice at Andhra Pradesh High Court
, he was appointed as a Supreme Court judge on January 31, 1958. He was appointed as Chief Justice of India
on June 30, 1966. His most famous judgment was for the landmark Golaknath v. State of Punjab case where he ruled that Fundamental Rights could not be amended.
Subba Rao retired on April 11, 1967 to contest in the fourth presidential elections as the consensus candidate of opposition parties.
in 1967 as a candidate of united opposition parties. He lost the elections to Zakir Hussain
.
He died on May 6, 1976.
Telugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
: కోకా సుబ్బారావు) (born July 15, 1902 - May 6, 1976) was a judge and later the Chief Justice of India
Chief Justice of India
The Chief Justice of India is the highest-ranking judge in the Supreme Court of India, and thus holds the highest judicial position in India. As well as presiding in the Supreme Court, the Chief Justice also head its administrative functions....
at the Supreme Court of India
Supreme Court of India
The Supreme Court of India is the highest judicial forum and final court of appeal as established by Part V, Chapter IV of the Constitution of India...
(1958-1967).Before becoming a judge at the Supreme Court he was the Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court
Andhra Pradesh High Court
The Andhra Pradesh High Court is the High Court of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It was set up on 5 July 1954 under the Andhra State Act, 1953.Its seat is in the administrative capital, Hyderabad and has a sanctioned judge strength of 39....
. ,
Early life
He was born at RajahmundryRajahmundry
Rajahmundry is a city and municipal corporation of the Andhra Pradesh state in India. It is located east of the state capital, Hyderabad, on the banks of the River Godavari. Known as the Cultural Capital, Rajahmundry is noted for its intense Veda culture and intellect...
on the banks of Godavari river on July 15, 1902 in adi Velama
Velama
Velama or the Velama Doralu is a social group found mainly in Andhra Pradesh. Velamas are classed as "Upper Shudras". The history of Velama's is as old as Telugu bravery. Military exploits of Velamas form an important part of Telugu tradition, history and folklore...
family. His father was a lawyer, died early. He graduated at Government Arts College, Rajamundry and studied law at Madras Law College. He was good sportsman and ever helpful to his friends.
Professional life
He joined the office of his father-in-law, P.Venkata Raman Rao Naidu, who was junior of the Andhra Kesari Prakasam Pantulu. He was recruited as District Munsif and worked for few months in Bapatla, Guntur district.After Venkata Raman Rao was elevated as Judge of Madras High Court, Subbarao partnered with gifted brother-in-law P. V. Rajamannar
P. V. Rajamannar
Pakala Venkataramana Rao Rajamannar was an Indian politician who served as the acting Governor of Madras State from 1957 to 1958. He was the former Chief Justice of Madras High Court from 1948 to 1961.-References:...
, who later became Advocate-General and Chief Justice of Madras High Court. They commanded the cream of legal work from all parts of composite Madras state. He was elevated to the Bench in 1948.
After the separation of Andhra, Rajaji wanted to send Govinda Menon, a senior judge to head the Andhra Pradesh High Court to be established in Guntur in 1954. But Prakasam insisted on having Subbarao as the Special Officer to facilitate the formation of High Court. Automatically he became the Chief Justice.
When Sri Venkateswara University
Sri Venkateswara University
Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, is a state university, which was established in 1954, in the famous temple city of Tirupati, South India, under the auspices of Late Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu, the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, and with support of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams...
was established at Tirupati in 1954, Subbarao became its first Chancellor
Chancellor
Chancellor is the title of various official positions in the governments of many nations. The original chancellors were the Cancellarii of Roman courts of justice—ushers who sat at the cancelli or lattice work screens of a basilica or law court, which separated the judge and counsel from the...
and remained in the position till the University Act was amended restoring the Chancellorship to the Governor.
After tenures as a judge at Madras High Court
Madras High Court
The Madras High Court is a senior court located at Chennai , in India. The court buildings, which are believed to be the second largest judicial complex in the world, are located near the beach, in one of the city's major business districts....
and a Chief Justice at Andhra Pradesh High Court
Andhra Pradesh High Court
The Andhra Pradesh High Court is the High Court of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It was set up on 5 July 1954 under the Andhra State Act, 1953.Its seat is in the administrative capital, Hyderabad and has a sanctioned judge strength of 39....
, he was appointed as a Supreme Court judge on January 31, 1958. He was appointed as Chief Justice of India
Chief Justice of India
The Chief Justice of India is the highest-ranking judge in the Supreme Court of India, and thus holds the highest judicial position in India. As well as presiding in the Supreme Court, the Chief Justice also head its administrative functions....
on June 30, 1966. His most famous judgment was for the landmark Golaknath v. State of Punjab case where he ruled that Fundamental Rights could not be amended.
Subba Rao retired on April 11, 1967 to contest in the fourth presidential elections as the consensus candidate of opposition parties.
Political life
He has contested for the President of IndiaPresident of India
The President of India is the head of state and first citizen of India, as well as the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces. President of India is also the formal head of all the three branches of Indian Democracy - Legislature, Executive and Judiciary...
in 1967 as a candidate of united opposition parties. He lost the elections to Zakir Hussain
Zakir Hussain (politician)
Dr. Zakir Hussain , was the third President of India from 13 May 1967 until his death on 3 May 1969. He was the first elected Muslim president of India....
.
He died on May 6, 1976.