Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Sep 15: Justice T Venkataswamy (87), former chairman of Karnataka State second Backward Classes Commission, and a senior leader of Rashtreeya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), passed away on Monday September 13.

He is survived by two sons and a daughter. Since some time, he had been suffering from heart-related ailments. Justice Venkataswamy was born in Alur, Bellary district in 1923. After beginning work as a district judge, he rose to the level of the Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court.

In 1983, the then state government headed by Ramakrishna Hegde, had appointed him as the chairman of the state Backward Classes Commission. Justice Venkataswamy, whose work as the chairman of the above commission has been hailed as one of the most comprehensive socio-economic and educational surveys ever undertaken in the state, was awarded with D Devaraj Urs state level award in 2008. He had also functioned as the vice president of the state unit of RSS earlier.

Various leaders and dignitaries including state BJP president, K S Eshwarappa, have grieved his death and offered condolences to the family of the deceased dignitary.