[UPDATED] Sri Ram dies at 79 following lung infection complications

KUALA LUMPUR – Former Federal Court judge Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram has passed away following complications arising from a lung infection today.

The 79-year-old was believed to have been warded at the intensive care unit of Gleneagles Hospital here since January 17.

At the time of his death, Gopal was serving as senior deputy public prosecutor in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd corruption trial involving former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Additionally, he was also the lead prosecutor for Najib’s wife’s (Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor) corruption trials involving a solar hybrid project for 369 rural schools in Sarawak as well as money laundering amounting to RM7 million.

Born on August 16, 1943, Gopal was first called to the Malaysian Bar in May 1970, practising law until he was elevated to become a Court of Appeal judge in September 1994.

His elevation made him the first legal practitioner in the country to be promoted directly to an appellate court from private practice without serving as a judicial commissioner or high court judge prior.

He served as a Court of Appeal judge until April 15, 2009, when he was promoted to become a Federal Court judge.

Subsequently retiring from the judiciary on February 16, 2010, Gopal returned to private practice.

He leaves behind his wife Datin Seri Chandra Sri Ram and two sons, Vinayak Sri Ram and Govind Sri Ram. – The Vibes, January 29, 2023