FORMER Senator in the National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR) government and respected jurist, Justice Amrika Tiwary-Reddy, whose career spanned over four decades, has died.

Tiwary-Reddy, a 2012 Chaconia Medal (Gold) recipient, died on the afternoon of April 6 at the Eric Williams Medical Centre, Mt Hope.

There are no details at the moment as to the cause of her death.

She had an illustrious career, starting with her admission to the bar in England in 1968 and, in Trinidad and Tobago, in 1969. She was appointed as a judge in 1998 until 2011, when she retired.

Having migrated to British Columbia, Canada in 1994, after marrying a Canadian national, Tiwary-Reddy also practised at the Canadian Bar.

She was a strong advocate for reform of the laws governing the inability of judges to continue to practise in the courts for ten years after retirement and, improvement of their pension benefits.

Dr Devant Maharaj, adjunct professor, University of TT, and a former government minister, said Tiwary-Reddy also served as chair of the Family Court and the Fair-Trade Commission.

Secretary General of the Maha Sabha Vijay Maharaj said Tiwary-Reddy had the distinction of being the first principal of the Lakshmi Girls Hindu College.

Two former leaders of the NAR, Winston Dookeran and Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan, have expressed sadness at her passing.

In a statement issued late on April 6, President Christine Carla Kangaloo said she too was deeply saddened by the death of the retired judge.

Kangaloo recalled that Tiwary-Reddy also acted as Attorney General on several occasions between 1989 and 1991, becoming the first woman to do so.

Kangaloo's statement read in part, “She also served as a member of the Cabinet-appointed Public Service Review Task Force and of the Council of the Bar Association of TT (1982-86).

“Justice Tiwary-Reddy was admitted to the Bar in England in 1968 and in TT the following year. She was appointed a Puisne Judge in 1999, and by her retirement in 2011 she was the most senior female Judge on the High Court bench.

“Perhaps most notable on her list of accolades was her appointment, at the age of 18, as the first principal of Lakshmi Girls’ Hindu College.

“In 2012, Justice Tiwary-Reddy received the Chaconia Medal Gold, the nation’s second highest award, in recognition of her years of distinguished service to TT in the sphere of Law.

“The Office of the President offers sincere condolences to the family and friends of Justice (Retired) Amrika Tiwary-Reddy.

“May she rest in peace.”

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