V. R. Krishna Iyer
V. R. Krishna Iyer | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 November 1914 Palghat, Malabar District, Madras Presidency, British India (present day Palakkad, Kerala, India) |
| Died | 4 December 2014 (aged 100) Kochi, Ernakulam, Kerala, India |
| Spouse |
Sarada
(m. 1941; died 1974) |
| Awards | Padma Vibhushan |
| Autobiography | Wandering in Many Worlds |
Justice Vaidyanathapuram Rama Iyer Krishna Iyer (15 November 1914 – 4 December 2014) was an Indian judge who became a pioneer of judicial activism. He pioneered the legal-aid movement in the country. Before that, he was a state minister and politician.
As an activist lawyer, he served jail terms for the cause of his poor and underprivileged clients. He was seen as an ardent human-rights activist. In addition, he campaigned for social justice and the environment. A sports enthusiast and a prolific author, he was conferred with the Padma Vibhushan in 1999. His judgements continue to be cited in the higher judiciary.