(The Hindu) T. Padmanabha Rao, The Hindu’s former Legal Correspondent who had a reputation for covering the Supreme Court with balance and accuracy, passed away in New Delhi on Friday due to an age-related illness. He was 91.
Known as T.P. Rao among his colleagues, he joined The Hindu in November 1962 and served for nearly 40 years. For over two decades on the Supreme Court beat, he was known for his impeccable journalism. He retired from service on October 31, 2002.
Former colleagues from The Hindu’s Delhi team recalled Mr. Rao’s ready wit and high-pitched voice, and also his ready guidance for budding court reporters and willingness to explain the nitty-gritty while clarifying doubts. He had earned high regards among Supreme Court judges with his remarkable reporting, they said.
In a 2007 column, The Hindu’s then Readers’ Editor K. Narayanan recalled Mr. Rao’s style of legal reporting that had “won him accolades from the Bench and the Bar.” His reporting was always accurate and gave no room for misinterpretation, he had said.
The cremation will take place at the Lodi Road Electric Crematorium in New Delhi at 12.30 p.m. on June 15. He is survived by two daughters and a son.