Supreme Court Has Now 4 Women Judges Sitting, Highest Ever In Its History

Shruti Kakkar

31 Aug 2021 8:31 AM GMT

  • Supreme Court Has Now 4 Women Judges Sitting, Highest Ever In Its History

    With three women judges sworn-in on Tuesday, the Supreme Court has four sitting women judges, the highest ever in its history. The previous high was three sitting women judges, during the period from August 2018 to May 2020 when Justices R Banumathi, Indira Banerjee and Indu Malhotra were serving.Newly appointed Justices Hima Kohli, BV Nagarathna and Bela M Trivedi and Justice Indira...

    With three women judges sworn-in on Tuesday, the Supreme Court has four sitting women judges, the highest ever in its history. The previous high was three sitting women judges, during the period from August 2018 to May 2020 when Justices R Banumathi, Indira Banerjee and Indu Malhotra were serving.

    Newly appointed Justices Hima Kohli, BV Nagarathna and Bela M Trivedi and Justice Indira Banerjee (appointed in 2018) are the women judges in the Supreme Court now.

    On the first day, Justice Hima Kohli shared the bench with Justices DY Chandrachud and MR Shah. Justice BV Nagarathna shared the bench with Justice L Nageswara Rao and Aniruddha Bose. Justice Bela Trivedi shared the bench along with Justices Indira Banerjee and V Ramasubramanian.

    It took almost four decades for the Supreme Court after its establishment to have its first woman judge, with the appointment of Justice Fatima Beevi in October 1980. 

    Justice Beevi was followed by Justices Sujata V Manohar, Ruma Pal, Gyan Sudha Misra, Ranjana Prakash Desai, R Bhanumathi, Indu Malhotra and Indira Banerjee.



    Although the Supreme Court has now the highest ever women representation, the question still remains : is 4 out of 33 an adequate representation?

    Know About The Newly Appointed Women Judges:

    Justice Hima Kohli

    First woman Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court, Justice Hima Kohli is the ninth woman to be elevated to the Supreme Court in its history of seven decades. Justice Hima Kohli is known for her firm approach in enforcing executive accountability and defending women rights. Justice Kohli was also appointed as an Additional Judge of the Delhi High Court in 2006 and was made a permanent Judge the next year.





    Notable Judgments Of Justice Hima Kohli, 9th Woman Elevated As Supreme Court Judge

    Justice BV Nagarathna

    Daughter of former Chief Justice of India ES Venkataramiah, Justice BV Nagarathna might become the first woman Chief Justice of India in September 2027, if appointments go as per the seniority turn. Although her tenure as the CJI would only be for 36 days, India's long wait for the first woman CJI would hopefully end.

    In an emotional farewell speech delivered by Justice BV Nagarathna on August 27, 2021, she had said,

    "The message from this leaf in my book which I want women advocates to take note of is, that with access to the right opportunities, each one of you can achieve your dreams. I, therefore, urge each one of you to seek out these opportunities armed with faith in yourself and stride ahead to achieve all that you want to and also give back to society."





    Justice BV Nagarathna, Who Might Become First Woman Chief Justice Of India, Has Pioneered Social Welfare

    Justice Bela M Trivedi

    Justice Bela M Trivedi, the first woman judge from the Gujarat High Court to be appointed as the Supreme Court judge was elevated to the High Court as an additional judge on February 17, 2011. In June 2011, she was transferred as an additional judge of the Rajasthan High Court. She was transferred back to the Gujarat High Court in February 2016. During the period from 2003 to 2006, she served as the Law Secretary to the Gujarat Government.




    Know About Justice Bela M. Trivedi, First Woman Judge From Gujarat HC Elevated To Supreme Court




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