Veeraswami Ramaswami

Veeraswami Ramaswami (15 February 1929 – 8 March 2025) was a judge of the Supreme Court of India and the first judge against whom removal proceedings were initiated in independent India.

Early life and education Veeraswami Ramaswami was born on 15 February 1929. His age was moved back by 2 years according to accounts from his late father-in-law Justice K Veeraswami, who was the former Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, and forged documents indicating 15 February 1929, as his birth date. In reality Ramaswami was born in 1927. He spent his school years at Hindu High School in Srivilliputhur. He was educated at The American College in Madurai and received a degree in Law from Madras Law College.

Professional career Ramaswami began his career by practising both civil and criminal law at the Madras High Court. He was appointed permanent Judge of the Madras High Court from 31 January 1971. He was later transferred and appointed Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court on 12 November 1987. At the height of his career, he was appointed Judge of the Supreme Court on 6 October 1989 from which he retired on 14 February 1994. The Committee constituted by the Speaker headed by Justice P.B Sawant found him guilty of misbehaviour. Justice Ramaswami’s supporters tried to use all possible weapons to thwart the resolution. As the Dravidar Kazhagam’s earlier ploy of calling it a plot by brahmins had failed, they now used a new strategy of calling it a conspiracy by North Indians to remove a South Indian judge from his post. He lost the election to Vaiko though he secured 32.21% of the votes. Vaiko received 41.8% and Thamaraikani 4.74% of the votes.

Personal life and death Ramaswami had five children. His youngest son Sanjay Ramaswami is a lawyer and former member of the legislative assembly in Tamil Nadu, representing the Congress party. Public and private accounts from Justice Fathima Beevi, former Judge of the Supreme Court and former Governor of Tamil Nadu have indicated Ramaswami's interest in elevating Sanjay Ramaswami to a Judge of the Madras High Court, for which she recounts refusing on multiple occasions citing incompetence of Sanjay Ramaswami. On 8 March 2025, Ramaswami died at the age of 96.