Justice J. Sathya Narayana Prasad, a sitting judge of the Madras High Court, passed away on Tuesday, May 6, at the age of 56. The Madras Bar Association confirmed his demise in a condolence message issued later that day.

Justice Prasad reportedly experienced discomfort at his residence and was rushed to a private hospital in Chennai, where he succumbed to cardiac arrest.

Born on March 15, 1969, in Thanjavur, Justice Prasad belonged to a family deeply rooted in the legal profession. His father, the late R. Jaiprasad, served as a District and Sessions Judge across several districts including Madurai, Kanyakumari, and Krishnagiri.

Appointed to the Bench in October 2022, Justice Prasad made a notable impact in a short span. Alongside Justice R. Mahadevan (now a judge of the Supreme Court), he was part of a Division Bench that disposed of 2,085 cases in just 20 days. This included around 700 writ petitions, 1,100 miscellaneous matters, and numerous long-pending Public Interest Litigations.

More recently, in April 2024, Justice Prasad directed the Tamil Nadu government to submit a status report on investigations into the alleged misappropriation of funds under the Central government’s Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY-G) and the State’s Chief Minister Solar Powered Green Housing Scheme.

Justice Prasad is remembered for his judicial diligence, integrity, and commitment to public interest.