Politicians/Lawyers among Sea of Mourners Paid Last Respect to Top Advocate M Seetharam Shetty
Mangaluru: The inner space of Loyola Hall of St Aloysius PUC, Mangaluru on Friday, 14 June was thronged with the best cream of Mangaluru comprising politicians, Lawyers, Doctors, Engineers, Professors, Teachers, Entrepreneurs and people of different profession, who had gathered to pay their last respect to their beloved Colleague/Mentor/Friend Munchirabettu Seetharam Shetty, aged 85, passed away on Thursday due to old-age illness, and his body was kept for public viewing at Loyola Hall.
Among the politicians who arrived at Loyola Hall to pay their last respect to Seetharam Shetty were District Minister-in-Charge U T Khader, former state ministers Ramanath Rai and Abhayachandra jain, former MP Ibrahim, former MCC Mayors Bhasker K and Sashidhar Hegde, Former MUDA Chairman Kodijal Ibrahim, MCC corporator D K Ashok, former president of Mangalore Bar Association Chengappa, among many others. After placing a wreath on the body of Shetty, U T Khader speaking to Team Mangalorean said, “If I know more about the judicial laws/systems is only because of the intensive training under Seetharam Shetty. More than a mentor, he was friend of all, who treated everyone equally and always with a smile. Mangaluru has lost yet another talented and knowledgeable advocate, and I express my condolences to the bereaved family members”.
MLC Ivan D’souza, who was very close to Seetharam Shetty, but unfortunately couldn’t be during the funeral, due to his prior commitment of a meeting in Shivamogga, but speaking to Team Mangalorean over the phone said, “It’s really unfortunate that I couldn’t be in Mangaluru to pay my last respect to my Trainer, Mentor and most of all, a great friend, where my association with Seetharam Sir, will be cherished and remembered for a long time. Training under him in judicial matters, has helped me in my political even today, for which I am very grateful to him. Mangalore Bar Association will surely miss a great advocate with the highest stature, respect and fame. May His Soul Rest in Peace”.
The final rites were held at 3 pm at Hindu Crematorium in Nandigudda, Mangaluru, where the funeral pyre was lit by Seetahram Shetty’s son, Manoj Shetty. A large number of people had gathered at the crematorium despite rain, among whom were also Seetharam Shetty’s wife, daughter Mallika, and other family members and relatives. Team Mangalorean expresses heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members of Late Seetharam Shetty. May His Soul Rest in Peace!
About M Seetharam Shetty, he was a graduate of Udupi Law College, Seetharam Shetty joined as juniorvtrainee with a leading advocate of that time, N N Suvarna, in 1959. He passed the Bar Council Exam in 1960, bagging the 12th rank in the state and enrolled as an advocate in the same year. Seetharam later began his career as an junior lawyer of Kallige Mahabala Bhandary in Kasargod before moving back to Mangaluru to begin his own practice.
He has served as the special prosecutor of Karnataka Government in several cases. He was also a former president of Mangaluru Lawyers’ Association. He appeared in a number of cases, in Mangaluru, Kasaragod, and Thalassery district courts. Shetty started his independent practice in Mangaluru in 1967, specializing on the criminal side, operating from his own chamber at Pailands Building, Hampankatta, Mangaluru.
Seetharam was also the legal adviser of U T Fareed, former MLA of Ullal and father of Ullal MLA U T Khader, he also served in this position to senior Congress leader Janardhan Poojary. Moreover, U T Khader himself began his legal profession as a junior lawyer under Seetharam. Other junior advocates who had taken training from him are MLC Ivan D’souza, Moose Kunhi Nayarmoole, Prakash Kumar and Haleema. Of theses, the last three had served as judges. U T Khader, Ivan D’souza and other senior leaders of Congress including Ramanath Rai, Janardhan Poojary have condoled the death of Seetharam.
Seetharam’s expertise saw him conduct special cases including appearing as special as special prosecutor in CBI cases in Mandya. He appeared for the government in the inquiry into firing on farmers at Kunigal, and was also the special prosecutor in the classik Computer case. The other important cases he handled include, appearing before the Justice Jagannath Shetty Commission relating to communal violence in Bhatkal; Justice Sadashivayya Commission relating to communal violence in Surathkal; Justice Vaidyanatha Commission relating to the kidnapping and death of former minister H Nagappa.
M Seetharam Shetty served as President of Mangalore Bar Association and District Bar Association of erstwhile undivided Dakshina Kannada district. He was also elected member of the Karnataka State Bar Council multiple times, recently serving as its Vice President .He has left his legacy behind in training many juniors as advocates.