Pavani Parameswara Rao, Lawyer
Lawyer

Pavani Parameswara Rao

Born 1 July 1933 · verify — Died 11 September 2017

Argued landmark constitutional law cases before the Supreme Court of India.

Pavani Parameswara Rao was a Senior Advocate practising in the Supreme Court of India. Widely considered a doyen of Constitutional Law, he had argued a number of landmark cases before the Supreme Court. He died on 13 September 2017 in a private hospital in South Delhi following a cardiac arrest, India.

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A detail that
surprised us

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Rao argued the landmark SR Bommai case in 1994, convincing the Supreme Court that the dismissal of four BJP-led state governments was justified on the grounds that they had violated the Constitution's secularism clause.

The Story

1
🌟 Born on 5 August 1933 in Mogalicherla Village, Prakasam District, Andhra Pradesh, Pavani Parameswara Rao completed his BA at V.R. College, Nellore, followed by an LL.B. and LL.M. from Osmania University, Hyderabad, setting a strong academic foundation.
2
In 1961, Rao began teaching law at the University of Delhi, before enrolling as an Advocate at the Bar Council of Delhi in 1967 and quickly moving to practice in the Supreme Court.
3By February 1969, he became an Advocate-on-Record, representing the State of Andhra Pradesh and the Central Government, and was designated Senior Advocate by the Supreme Court in August 1976.
4🎯 In 1991, he was elected President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, a post reflecting his standing among peers in one of India's most challenging legal arenas.

🏅 Awards & Honours

2006
Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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In 1967, Rao joined the chambers of his former teacher, Shri Raja Vasudev Pillai, after his initial mentor N.C. Chatterjee moved to Kolkata due to ill health, marking a pivotal shift early in his Supreme Court career.

🖼️

Through the Years

1 photograph from the archives
Pavani Parameswara Rao receiving the Padma Bhushan from President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in New Delhi (2006).
Pavani Parameswara Rao receiving the Padma Bhushan from President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in New Delhi (2006).
2006

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Born in Mogalicherla Village, Andhra Pradesh
Pavani Parameswara Rao was born in Mogalicherla Village, Lingasamudram Mandal, Prakasam District, Andhra Pradesh.
1933
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Career
Started teaching law at University of Delhi
Rao began his career as a law teacher at the University of Delhi before enrolling as an advocate.
1961
⚡
Career
Enrolled as Advocate and joined Supreme Court practice
Rao enrolled as an Advocate by the Bar Council of Delhi and started practicing in the Supreme Court.
1967
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Career
Became Advocate-on-Record
He became Advocate-on-Record in the Supreme Court, representing the State of Andhra Pradesh and Central Government.
1969
⚡
Career
Designated as Senior Advocate by Supreme Court
The Supreme Court designated Rao as Senior Advocate, recognizing his expertise in constitutional law.
1976
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Career
Elected President of Supreme Court Bar Association
Rao was elected President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, reflecting his leadership among India's top lawyers.
1991
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Career
Argued SR Bommai v Union of India
Rao defended the imposition of President's Rule in four BJP-ruled states after Babri Masjid demolition, influencing constitutional law on secularism.
1994
🏅
Award
Awarded Padma Bhushan
The Government of India awarded Rao the Padma Bhushan for his contributions to constitutional law and public interest.
2006
🏅
Award
Received honorary LL.D.
Rao was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree recognizing his eminence and public interest contributions.
2010
🕊️
Death
Passed away in South Delhi
Rao died following a cardiac arrest in a private hospital in South Delhi, ending a landmark legal career.
2017
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Rao was Advocate-on-Record for both the State of Andhra Pradesh and the Central Government before his elevation to Senior Advocate in 1976, a rare dual role in the legal profession.

02 / 04
🔍LESSER KNOWN

He assisted some of the most eminent legal minds of his time, including H.M. Seervai and M.C. Setalvad, early in his career, which deeply influenced his approach to constitutional law.

03 / 04
💡SURPRISING

Despite being a legal scholar, Rao began his professional life as a law teacher at the University of Delhi in 1961, three years before enrolling as an advocate.

No quote recorded for Pavani Parameswara Rao yet.

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Felicitation; Padma Awardees;Justice V.N.Khare;P.P .Rao;H.l.Sibal;Dr.Adish Aggarwala,28-4-2006 4/6
·YouTube
More from this archive
Felicitation; Padma Awardees;Justice V.N.Khare;P.P .Rao;H.l.Sibal;Dr.Adish Aggarwala,28-4-2006 4/6
01
Felicitation; Padma Awardees;Justice V.N.Khare;P.P .Rao;H.l.Sibal;Dr.Adish Aggarwala,28-4-2006 4/6
YouTube
Felicitation; Padma Awardees;Justice V.N.Khare;P.P .Rao;H.l.Sibal;Dr.Adish Aggarwala,28-4-2006 5/6
02
Felicitation; Padma Awardees;Justice V.N.Khare;P.P .Rao;H.l.Sibal;Dr.Adish Aggarwala,28-4-2006 5/6
YouTube

🌱 What changed because of them

Pavani Parameswara Rao's legal arguments in the SR Bommai case established a critical precedent on the inviolability of secularism as part of India's constitutional basic structure, reinforcing federalism and limiting misuse of President's Rule. His advocacy shaped constitutional law, influencing how political power and state governance are balanced in India. His tenure as President of the Supreme Court Bar Association also impacted the legal community's institutional practices and professionalism.

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