Justice Eurico Santana da Silva leaves behind a legacy of justice and unwavering public service spanning four decades
Retired High Court Judge Eurico Santana da Silva, a distinguished figure in Goa’s legal fraternity, passed away recently at his residence in Margao. Justice da Silva, who began his legal career prior to Goa’s Liberation from Portuguese rule, was widely respected for his unimpeachable integrity, exceptional legal intellect, and strict sense of discipline.
His passing prompted an outpouring of tributes from colleagues, legal professionals, and members of the public, many of whom gathered at his residence to pay their final respects.
“We have lost an honest judge. Justice da Silva was justice-oriented,” said Sr. Advocate Jose Elmano Coelho Pereira, President of Goa High Court Bar Association and former Advocate General of Goa. “He began his career under the Portuguese legal system and continued to deliver remarkable judgements under Indian law. His judgements remain essential reading for many of us,” Pereira added.
Born in May 1933, Justice da Silva earned a postgraduate degree in Historical and Juridical Sciences from the Faculty of Law at the University of Coimbra, Portugal. He began his judicial career in 1957 as Judge of the Julgado Municipal Especial in Ponda – before
in Goa’s Liberation.
Following Liberation, his legal ascent was steady and commendable. In 1964, he was promoted to Civil Judge, Senior Division, and Judicial Magistrate First Class. A decade later, in 1974, he was appointed Chief Judicial Magistrate and Additional Sessions Judge. In 1980, he became Additional District and Sessions Judge, and by 1981, District and Sessions Judge.
In 1990, he was elevated to the Bombay High Court as an Additional Judge. In 1991, he was designated Puisne Judge of the Bombay High Court, a post he held until his retirement in 1995. His judicial career spanned nearly four decades.
Beyond his court appointments, Justice da Silva led an active career and served in numerous capacities, off the bench. He was the One-Man Commission of Inquiry investigating irregularities by Custodians of Evacuee Property. He was also a member of the University Court of Goa University, nominated by the Governor, and an active member of the Indian Society of Human Rights, Nagpur. Post-retirement, he chaired the State Police Complaints Authority and served on the Goa State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.
Justice da Silva’s contributions to the judiciary extended far beyond his formal judgements. He was widely admired for the clarity and depth of his legal reasoning, a reflection of his profound understanding of law and justice.
His influence was not confined to the courtroom. A soft-spoken yet impactful figure, Justice da Silva was also deeply involved in community initiatives and served as a mentor to countless members of the legal fraternity. His legacy endures through those he inspired, including one of his four sons, who is currently advancing through the ranks of the judiciary in Goa.
Tributes from his colleagues echoed a shared sentiment: the passing of Justice da Silva symbolizes the waning of an era marked by unwavering commitment to integrity, justice, and public service. As one tribute aptly put it, he was a paragon of discipline, decorum, and dignified conduct throughout his distinguished career.
