Mahadevan is a distinguished legal professional, who currently serves as a judge of the Supreme Court of India, find out more about him below
Over the years, he has achieved key appointments at the Madras High Court—including a tenure as Acting Chief Justice.
Who is Justice R Mahadevan, Supreme Court Judge: Biography, age, father, wife, education, retirement date and state
Public protests erupted in Delhi on Monday after the Supreme Court ordered all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR to be removed from streets and confined to shelters within eight weeks.
The directive, issued by Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan, aimed at public safety, mandates… pic.twitter.com/ifgK85CbF0
— The Logical Indian (@LogicalIndians) August 12, 2025
Mahadevan is currently in the news following a controversial ruling on stray dogs in the country’s capital; find out more about him below.
R. Mahadevan facing backlash for stray dog ruling
Justice R Mahadevan has recently come under intense scrutiny and criticism for a ruling related to the management of stray dogs. Various groups and individuals have expressed concern over the impact of the judgment, particularly those advocating for animal welfare. The backlash highlights the challenges that the courts are facing in balancing public safety while ensuring animal rights. According to the new ruling, all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR are to be removed from streets and confined to shelters within eight weeks. According to the directive, shelters for 5,000 dogs with sterilization and immunization facilities will be mandated.
The bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan were hearing the matter in the Supreme Court.
Mahadevan biography and age
R. Mahadevan was born on June 10, 1963, in Madras (now Chennai), Tamil Nadu. He comes from a family deeply connected to literature and culture. His father, Maa Aranganathan, was a prominent Tamil writer who played a major role in influencing Mahadevan’s early worldview.
His father was also a government employee in Tamil Nadu’s health department and ran the self funded magazine called Mundril and has written seven novels and 200 short stories. R Mahadevan now runs a trust in his father’s memory.
Mahadevan is currently 62-years-old and balances his judicial responsibilities while tending to his family.
Education
R. Mahadevan spent his early years studying at reputable local institutions for his primary and high school education in Chennai. He later attended the Madras Law College, focusing on civil, criminal, and taxation law.
Mahadevan completed his LLB from Madras Law College, Chennai and enrolled in the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in 1989.
Career
After graduating, R. Mahadevan enrolled with the Chennai Bar Council in 1989, and started out his professional career in advocacy. He has so far had a legal career spanning over 25 years and specializes in civil, criminal, indirect taxation, customs, and Central Excise matters. He earned a reputation for his expertise, serving as an Additional Government Pleader (Taxes) for the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Back on October 25, 2013, Mahadevan was appointed as a judge of the Madras High Court. After serving for a decade, he later became the Acting Chief Justice of the Madras High Court on May 24, 2024. He was eventually appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court of India on July 18, 2024, nominated by Chief Justice Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud and appointed by current President Droupadi Murmu.
He retires on 9 June, 2028.
Previously
Acting Chief Justice of the Madras High Court
May 24, 2024- July 15th, 2024
Permanent Judge of the Madras High Court
April 14, 2015-May 23, 2024
Additional Judge of the Madras High Court
October 25, 2013 – April 13, 2015
Wife and children
R Mahadevan is married and has a son, but he largely prefers to keep them largely private despite living a high-profile career. His wife is an engineer.
#SupremeCourt hears suo moto case against stray dogs attacking children in streets
Bench:JJ JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan
Amicus and Sr Adv Gaurav Agarwal suggests sterilisation of stray dogs not enough, streets should be stray dogs free pic.twitter.com/C3gGrHusQE
— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) August 11, 2025
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