Advocate Preeta Aravindan Krishnamma has sworn in as an Additional Judge of the Kerala High Court on Monday (April 27).
The Centre had notified her appointment last week. Chief Justice Soumen Sen administered the oath for the newly appointed judge.
Justice Preeta expressed her gratitude to all her family members, mentors, the members of the Collegium, classmates, colleagues, teachers, advocate clerks, members of the Bar, the Commonwealth Legal Education Association (CLEA) and former clients in her speech. She endeavoured to discharge her duties with diligence and conscientiousness.
Advocate General K. Gopalakrishna Kurup, Additional Solicitor General for India P. Sreekumar, Kerala High Court Advocates' Association President Peeyus A. Kottam gave speeches to welcome the new judge.
"Increasing women's representation in the judiciary is not merely a matter of equality, it is indispensable for increasing the quality of justice itself. A more gender-diverse Bench strengthens the public confidence in the legal system, and ensures that it reflect the society it serves. The inclusion of more women judges brings a wider range of perspectives, perspectives that are vital for fair, balanced and empathetic decision-making. In this way, women's participation in the judiciary enriches the justice delivery system and makes it more responsive and inclusive. Today, with the swearing in of Justice Preeta A.K. as an additional judge, we have had a worthy addition to the small but uniquely illustrious collegium of erudite women, who are and who have been judges of this Honourable Court," the AG said during the ceremony.
ASG Sreekumar's speech highlighted Justice Preetha's professional journey, which included contributions to legislative and policy developments. He added:
"The solemn occasion not merely witnesses the assumption of high judicial office by Justice Preetha Aravindan Krishnamma but also acknowledges her long journey marked by intellectual rigour, professional integrity and an unwavering commitment to the Rule of Law...Such contributions demonstrate not merely professional excellence but also a commitment to systematic legal advancement. The elevation of my Lord to the Bench is, therefore, the natural culmination of decades of dedicated legal service marked by intellectual discipline, professional excellence and an abiding sense of justice. This occasions also assumes a larger constitutional and historical significance in the context of the increasing representation of women in judiciary."
In his speech, Advocate Peeyus A. Kottam mentioned Justice A.K. Preeta's role, as counsel, in ensuring justice in the case in which a minor girl and her father were harassed by a pink police officer in a public road, casting accusations of theft on the duo.
"This empathy, this human touch and unwavering commitment to justice for the marginalised truly define Justice Preetha," he said.