Rakia Imran
On 18th February, 2025, a tragic incident unfolded in the Telangana High Court when veteran lawyer Pasnooru Venugopal Rao suffered a fatal heart attack while presenting his arguments in the Court. The 66-year-old was in the midst of making submissions before Justice Laxmi Narayana Alishetty when he suddenly became uneasy and collapsed at around 1:20 PM.
Fellow advocates and staff quickly realized the situation and attempted emergency resuscitation measures, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). He was immediately transported to Osmania Hospital for urgent medical care. Unfortunately, doctors at the hospital could not revive him and declared him dead.
Rao had been actively practicing law at the Telangana High Court since 1998, earning a reputation for his knowledge and dedication. Telangana High Court Bar Association president A. Ravinder Reddy later confirmed that several lawyers present in the courtroom attempted to assist him, but their efforts could not alter the tragic outcome. His passing has deeply saddened the legal community, with many remembering him as a respected and hardworking advocate.