Narendra Chapalgaonkar, a senior writer and retired judge, passed away on Saturday in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar of Maharashtra at the age of 88.

Starting his career as a Marathi teacher, Chapalgaonkar later practiced law in Beed during the 1970s. In the 1980s, he was appointed as a judge at the Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court. After retiring in 1999, he remained active in the field of literature.

He authored several acclaimed books, including Anant Bhalerao-Kaal an Kartirtu, Karmayogi Sanyasi, Kahani Hyderabad Ladhyachi, Kaida an Manus, and Vidhan Mandal an Nyayasanastha. He also presided over many literary conferences, including the 96th All India Literature Conference held in Wardha.

As a judge, Chapalgaonkar introduced the initiative to provide free textbooks for students from classes 1 to 4, a significant contribution to education.

His cremation will take place this evening in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and Ajit Pawar have expressed their condolences on his demise.