Srinivasan Muralidhar is one of the most respected names in the Indian judiciary. Born on 8 August 1961 in Chennai, he has built a career that reflects courage, fairness, and compassion. Over the years, he has delivered landmark judgments that touched the lives of ordinary citizens and shaped the course of Indian law.
What makes him stand out is not just his legal brilliance but also his human touch. Whether it was protecting civil liberties, standing up for marginalized groups, or questioning colonial traditions in court, Justice Muralidhar has always believed that justice must serve people first. His journey from a student of law in Chennai to the Chief Justice of Orissa High Court and later a global human rights voice at the United Nations shows how one man’s dedication can inspire generations.
Srinivasan Muralidhar Age, Wife, Biography, Career, Family
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dr. Justice Srinivasan Muralidhar |
| Date of Birth | 8 August 1961 |
| Age (as of July 2026) | 65 years |
| Place of Birth | Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Profession | Jurist, Judge, Senior Advocate |
| Known For | Landmark judgments on civil liberties, human rights, and constitutional law |
| Education | – B.Sc. Chemistry, Vivekananda College, University of Madras (1981) – LL.B., University of Madras (1984, First Rank) – LL.M., Constitutional & Administrative Law, Nagpur University (1990) – Ph.D., University of Delhi (2003) |
| Spouse | Usha Ramanathan (Human Rights Activist) |
| Career Highlights | – Practiced law in Chennai (1984) – Counsel for NHRC & Election Commission (2002–2006) – Judge, Delhi High Court (2006–2020) – Judge, Punjab & Haryana High Court (2020) – Chief Justice, Orissa High Court (2021–2023) |
| Retirement | 7 August 2023 |
| Post-Retirement Role | Designated Senior Advocate by Supreme Court of India (October 2023) |
| International Role | Chair, UN Commission of Inquiry on Occupied Palestinian Territory (2025–present) |
| Major Judgments | – Decriminalization of homosexuality (Delhi HC) – Conviction in 1984 anti-Sikh riots case – Emergency hearings during Delhi riots (2020) |
| Awards & Honors | Multiple academic medals (Lakshminarasa Reddi, L.C. Miller, Carmichael & Innes Prize) |
| Wikipedia | @Srinivasan_Muralidhar |
Early Life and Family Background
On 8 August 1961, Justice Muralidhar was born in a culturally rich Tamil family in Chennai. His upbringing was shaped by values of discipline, respect, and education. These early influences played a big role in his later career, where he often spoke about fairness and equality.
He is wed to Usha Ramanathan, a prominent human rights advocate. Their partnership is not just personal but also intellectual. Together, they have worked on issues related to justice, rights, and accountability. This bond reflects his belief that law is not just about courts and judgments but also about people and society.
Academic Excellence and Education
He completed his B.Sc. in Chemistry in 1981 from Vivekananda College, University of Madras. Soon after, he pursued law at the University of Madras, where he graduated in 1984 with first rank. His performance earned him several medals and prizes, including the Lakshminarasa Reddi Medal, L.C. Miller Medal, and Carmichael & Innes Prize.
Not stopping there, he went on to complete his LL.M. in Constitutional and Administrative Law in 1990 from Nagpur University. His thirst for knowledge led him to pursue a Ph.D. in 2003 from the University of Delhi, where his thesis focused on Legal Aid and the Criminal Justice System in India.
Early Legal Career and Achievements
Justice Muralidhar’s career began with promise. In 1984, he represented India at the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition in Washington DC, a prestigious event where young attorneys display their skills. This was a proud moment not just for him but also for Indian legal education.
He started practicing law in Chennai in the same year. He demonstrated his versatility in the corporate and legal domains by becoming qualified as a Company Secretary by 1985. Later, he worked under G. Ramaswamy, who went on to become the Attorney General of India. These early experiences gave him exposure to complex cases and shaped his understanding of law at the highest level.
Rise in the Legal Profession
Justice Muralidhar’s rise in the legal field was steady and marked by important contributions. He was often appointed as amicus curiae in the Supreme Court, which means he was asked to assist the court in complex cases. This role showed the trust the judiciary placed in his knowledge and fairness.
Between 2002 and 2006, he served as counsel for the National Human Rights Commission and the Election Commission of India. These assignments were crucial because they dealt with protecting rights and ensuring free and fair elections. His work during this period reflected his strong belief that law must serve democracy and human dignity.
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Appointment as Judge of Delhi High Court
Justice Muralidhar was appointed to the Delhi High Court on May 29, 2006. His tenure here was marked by several landmark judgments. He was known for his clear writing style and his ability to explain complex legal points in simple words.
One of his most notable contributions was his stand against colonial traditions in court. He openly discouraged lawyers from addressing judges as “My Lord” or “Your Lordship.” For him, respect was not about titles but about fairness and justice. This small but powerful gesture reflected his progressive outlook and his desire to modernize the judiciary.
Controversial Transfer to Punjab & Haryana High Court
In February 2020, Justice Muralidhar was transferred to the Punjab & Haryana High Court. This move came at a sensitive time, as he was hearing cases related to the Delhi riots of 2020. His transfer sparked public debate, with many lawyers and activists questioning whether judicial independence was under threat.
The controversy highlighted the challenges judges face when dealing with politically sensitive cases. For Justice Muralidhar, the transfer did not stop his commitment to fairness. He continued to serve with the same dedication, showing that his loyalty was always to the Constitution and not to external pressures.
Chief Justice of Orissa High Court
On 31 December 2020, Justice Muralidhar was appointed as the Chief Justice of Orissa High Court, and he took oath on 4 January 2021. His tenure here was marked by important reforms aimed at modernizing the judiciary.
He introduced initiatives like the Record Room Digitization Centre (RRDC), which helped preserve court records in digital form. Additionally, he supported training programs for judges and attorneys as well as the use of technology in district courts. Justice Muralidhar retired on 7 August 2023, leaving behind a legacy of reforms and progressive judgments.
Post-Retirement Contributions
After retiring from the Orissa High Court on 7 August 2023, Justice Muralidhar did not step away from the legal world. In October 2023, the Supreme Court of India designated him as a Senior Advocate, a rare honor given to lawyers of exceptional standing.
Even in retirement, he remained active in legal education and reform. He often spoke at seminars and conferences, sharing his experiences with young lawyers and judges. His focus was always on making the justice system more accessible to ordinary people.
International Recognition: UN Commission of Inquiry
Justice Muralidhar’s reputation extended beyond India. In 2025, he was appointed as the Chair of the United Nations Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory. This role placed him at the center of one of the most sensitive global issues.
In June 2026, the Commission released a report accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. The report highlighted the deaths of more than 20,000 children since October 2023, drawing global attention. While Israel rejected the findings as biased, the report sparked worldwide debate on accountability and human rights.
Awards, Honors, and Legacy
Justice Muralidhar’s career is decorated with awards and honors. From his early academic medals to his recognition as a Senior Advocate, his journey reflects excellence at every stage.
His legacy includes landmark rulings such as the decriminalization of homosexuality, the conviction in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, and emergency hearings during the Delhi riots of 2020. These judgments showed his courage to uphold constitutional values even in difficult times. His reforms in Orissa High Court, like digitization and modernization, left a lasting impact on the judiciary.
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