Former judge of the Supreme Court, Justice AR Lakshmanan breathed his last early this morning at Kavery Hospital in Tiruchirappalli. He was 78 years old.

It is reported that a sudden cardiac arrest was the cause of his demise.

Justice Lakshmanan served at the Supreme Court from December 20, 2002, to March 21, 2007. Prior to his elevation, he was a judge at the Madras High Court and the Kerala High Court. He also served as Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan High Courts. Post retirement, he was appointed Chairman of the Eighteenth Law Commission of India.

The cremation will be held today at 11:30 AM in Devakottai, Justice Lakshmanan's native town.

His son, ARL Sundaresan is a Senior Advocate practicing at the Madras High Court.