Former Chief Justice of India Yeshwant Vishnu Chandrachud died on Monday at a city hospital in Mumbai after prolonged illness.

Chandrachud (88) breathed his last at the Bombay Hospital, Additional Solicitor General Rajendra Raghuvanshi said.

His body is likely to be brought home after which last rites will be performed at Chandanwadi in South Mumbai, he added.

"We have lost a great stalwart whose contribution to the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court is enormous," said Raghuvanshi.

Born in Pune on July 12, 1920, he came to Mumbai for his graduation after completing his education in Nutan Marathi Vidyalaya at Pune.

He graduated from the Elphinstone College in Mumbai, majoring in History and Economics and later passed out from the Law College at Pune in 1942.

He also won scholarships and awards from the University of Mumbai such as the Sir Nathubhai Mangaldas Legal Scholarship, the Judge Spencer Prize and the Gussie K Kanga Scholarship.

Chandrachud started practising at the Bombay High Court in 1943.

He was also teaching at the Government Law College as a part-time professor from 1949 to 1952.