Senior Advocate DLN Rao, a veteran member of the Karnataka Bar and one of the country’s leading lawyers in mining law, passed away on Monday.

Rao was a designated Senior Advocate of the Karnataka High Court and with more that five decades of experience at the bar. He had an extensive practice before the Karnataka High Court as well as the Supreme Court, particularly in matters concerning mining, land acquisition, infrastructure and public law.

Rao is one of the foremost authorities in mining law.

Rao also played a notable role in litigation surrounding Bengaluru's Namma Metro project.

In 2010, the Karnataka High Court appointed him as amicus curiae in proceedings concerning the proposed underground Metro stretch between the Vidhana Soudha and the High Court through the Cubbon Park area. The Bench had sought his assistance considering the wider implications of the project.

The High Court subsequently permitted the underground Metro project while imposing safeguards concerning restoration of land and protection of the green cover. Rao, while assisting the Court, had also raised issues concerning the trees that would be affected and the use of ancillary buildings connected with the project.

Rao continued to actively appear in significant matters until recently.