On International Women’s Day, we honour the exceptional women who have broken barriers and shaped India’s legal landscape. From historic courtrooms to landmark judgments, these trailblazers have paved the way for future generations. Let’s celebrate some of India’s most influential female advocates and judges who have redefined justice and equality.
Justice M. Fathima Beevi – India’s First Female Supreme Court Judge
Born in Pathanamthitta, Kerala, Justice M. Fathima Beevi made history in 1989 as the first woman to be appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court of India. She completed her law degree from Government Law College, Thiruvananthapuram, and later became the first Muslim woman in India to rise to the Supreme Court. Her appointment was a groundbreaking moment, proving that women could hold top positions in the judiciary.
➡ Legacy: She later served as the Governor of Tamil Nadu, continuing her advocacy for women’s rights and social justice.
Justice Leila Seth – The First Woman Chief Justice of a High Court
Born in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Justice Leila Seth was a trailblazer in Indian legal history. After becoming a barrister in England, she returned to India and in 1991, became the first woman Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court. She played a pivotal role in amending the Hindu Succession Act, 1956, which granted equal property rights to women.
➡ Legacy: She was a key member of the Justice Verma Committee, which introduced stronger anti-rape laws after the 2012 Nirbhaya case.
Indira Jaising – India’s First Female Additional Solicitor General
Hailing from Mumbai, Maharashtra, Indira Jaising is one of India’s most renowned human rights lawyers. She completed her law degree at Government Law College, Mumbai, and was appointed as India’s first female Additional Solicitor General in 2009. She has fiercely advocated for women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and constitutional freedoms.
➡ Legacy: She led legal battles in domestic violence cases and was instrumental in the Sabarimala Temple case, where women won the right to enter the temple.
Justice R. Banumathi – A Key Figure in Criminal Justice
Born in Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, Justice R. Banumathi completed her law degree at Government Law College, Madras. She became the sixth woman judge of the Supreme Court of India and made significant contributions to criminal law. She was a part of the bench that upheld the death penalty for the convicts in the 2012 Nirbhaya case.
➡ Legacy: Her judgments strengthened criminal law and women’s rights, inspiring many young female lawyers in India.
Pinky Anand – Senior Advocate and Former Additional Solicitor General
Pinky Anand, from Delhi, is a distinguished Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court of India. She completed her education at Faculty of Law, University of Delhi, and has been involved in cases related to constitutional law, human rights, and public interest litigations.
➡ Legacy: She played a key role in Triple Talaq case, leading to its abolition by the Supreme Court.
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Menaka Guruswamy – A Champion for LGBTQ+ Rights
Born in Hyderabad, Telangana, Menaka Guruswamy studied at National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore, and later pursued her studies at Harvard Law School. She gained global recognition for her successful fight in decriminalizing Section 377, which criminalized homosexuality in India.
➡ Legacy: Her advocacy led to the 2018 Supreme Court judgment that granted equal rights to the LGBTQ+ community in India.
Justice Hima Kohli – A Defender of Women’s and Children’s Rights
Hailing from Delhi, Justice Hima Kohli pursued her law degree from Faculty of Law, University of Delhi. She has been an advocate for women’s and children’s rights and has delivered significant rulings protecting survivors of violence.
➡ Legacy: She played a crucial role in passing judgments safeguarding domestic abuse survivors and ensuring strict action against workplace harassment.
Justice BV Nagarathna – Future First Woman Chief Justice of India
Born in Karnataka, Justice BV Nagarathna is expected to become India’s first woman Chief Justice in 2027. She studied law at University Law College, Bangalore, and has been a strong advocate for judicial transparency and women’s empowerment.
➡ Legacy: She has contributed to constitutional law, gender justice, and administrative law, setting the stage for a historic appointment in the Supreme Court.
Justice Gyan Sudha Misra – Advocate for Legal Reforms
Born in Bihar, Justice Gyan Sudha Misra pursued her law degree at Patna Law College. She served as a judge in the Supreme Court of India and was known for her progressive judgments and advocacy for legal reforms to ensure gender justice.
➡ Legacy: Her tenure is noted for judgments that emphasized women’s empowerment and legal transparency.
Justice Ruma Pal – Eminent Jurist and Academic
Born in Kolkata, West Bengal, Justice Ruma Pal completed her education at Presidency College and Nagpur University. She served as a Supreme Court judge and was renowned for her sharp legal acumen and contributions to constitutional law.
➡ Legacy: Her judgments have had a lasting impact on administrative law, gender justice, and judicial accountability.
Final Thoughts
Despite their groundbreaking contributions, gender disparity in India’s legal system remains a significant challenge. Women still constitute a small fraction of judges in higher courts and senior advocates, highlighting the need for continued efforts to ensure equal representation.
On this International Women’s Day, let’s not only honor these extraordinary women but also commit to promoting gender equality in the legal profession. Their achievements remind us that justice and progress are driven by those who dare to challenge barriers. By encouraging and supporting more women in law, we move closer to a truly inclusive and equitable legal system.
Which female legal pioneer inspires you the most? Share your thoughts!
Mayank Verma