Ghananand Mishra

Who was Ghananand Mishra?

Ghananand Mishra was a Fijian lawyer and judge. He was an Indo-Fijian of Brahmin stock, whose ancestors hailed from the Indian state of Kashmiri.

Mishra served as Director of Public Prosecutions before his appointment to the High Court as a puisne judge. His interpretations of criminal law were pivotal in the development of Fiji's justice system. In 1973, the Leader of the Opposition nominated Mishra for the position of Chief Justice, in opposition to Sir Ronald Kermode, who was favoured by the government. In the end, Governor-General Ratu Sir George Cakobau appointed Sir Timoci Tuivaga instead.

Mishra resigned from the bench in 1987 following the coup on 14 May, led by Lieutenant Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka, saying, "I will not serve under those bandits."

In retirement, Mishra faded from public view. He devoted his time to his family, and to his lifelong passion of reading. He also made occasional trips to Kashmir.

Fiji's current Vice-President, Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi, has called Mishra "a fortress of rectitude and integrity that was never breached."