KUALA LUMPUR: The late Senior Deputy Public Prosecutor and former Federal Court Judge Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram was a "legal eagle" who was well-versed in both civil and criminal law.
Senior counsel Datuk V. Sithambaram, who is the lead prosecutor in former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's SRC International case, said Sri Ram's passing was a great loss to the nation and the legal fraternity.
"Sri Ram was a legal eagle in Malaysia. He was well versed in both civil and criminal cases.
"His death is a great loss to both the legal profession and the Attorney-General's Chambers as he undertook both private litigation and also acted as a deputy public prosecutor in several high profile cases including the 1MDB (1Malaysia Development Berhad) corruption trial.
"Sri Ram was appointed as a court of appeal judge in 1994 and subsequently to the federal court.
"His landmark judgements will remain in the legal journals for many many years to come," Sithambaram, who had worked closely with Sri Ram told the New Straits Times when contacted today.
Sri Ram, 79, passed away about noon today.
He was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a private hospital here last week for a lung infection.
The former federal court judge is the lead prosecutor in the 1MDB corruption trial involving Najib.
He is also the leading prosecutor for Najib's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor's corruption trials involving a solar hybrid project for 369 rural schools in Sarawak and money laundering amounting to RM7 million.