Hundreds attend funeral of legal legend Subhas Anandan

SINGAPORE - Hundreds of people turned up to pay their last respects to veteran criminal lawyer, Mr Subhas Anandan.

The Straits Times reported that more than 400 people filled the hall at Mandai Crematorium earlier today while others crowded outside.

Those who had delivered eulogies included Law Minister K. Shanmugam, RHTLaw Taylor Wessing senior partner Mr Rajan Menon and lawyer Mr Noor Mohamed Marican, a long-time friend and President of the Association of Muslim Lawyers (AML).

Mr Shanmugam said: "It is our loss, it is our country's loss, and the country mourns his departure. To his family, Vimala and Sujesh, Subhas was a loving husband and a loving father who often lamented that he should have spent more time with you."

Others in attendance were those from the local legal fraternity such as Judicial Commissioner Valerie Thean, ex-clients he had defended and childhood friends, according to The Straits Times.

Many had expressed their sorrow to the local media during his wake held at his Leonie Rd home yesterday.

Mr Noor, who was also at yesterday's wake, had said he was "deeply aggrieved" to hear of Mr Subhas' passing, according to Channel NewsAsia.

Mr Subhas was President of the Association of Criminal Lawyers in Singapore and a senior partner at RHTLaw Taylor Wessing.

He was famous for taking on several high-profile criminal cases, many a time pro bono.

Last year, a bursary award for ex-inmates was launched in his name by AML. The Yellow Ribbon Fund Subhas Anandan Star Bursary Award is aimed at financially supporting ex-inmates in their studies through a full sponsorship.

Mr Subhas' family suggested that memorial contributions be sent to the bursary.

ssandrea@sph.com.sg