Leila Seth: Pioneering India's Legal Frontier as the First Woman Chief Justice

The First Woman Chief Justice of India: Leila Seth                      

Courts reached a big moment when they appointed Leila Seth as their first woman Chief Justice of India. This historic event shows how the country is moving forward with gender equality and letting more women take top jobs. The first woman in this important role has made a big impact in law, showing how women can lead just as well as men. Her appointment is not only because of her skills and hard work, but it also inspires many young women in India to consider careers in law and the courts.

Overcoming All Challenges and Being the First Woman Chief Justice of India

Leila Seth, overcoming all the challenges, made history in 1989 by becoming the first woman Chief Justice of India. Numerous women were inspired by the historic appointment of the first female chief justice of India. She never wavered in her pursuit of justice or commitment to the legal profession while in government. She makes a lasting impression by inspiring other women to fulfill their most significant potential and become justices of the Supreme Court.

Beyond Judiciary: Advocacy and Reforms

• Leila Seth was part of the Justice Verma Committee, which was formed after the 2012 Delhi gang rape case to suggest legal reforms to protect women against sexual violence. 

• She championed gender equality, leading to reforms in the Hindu Succession Act, ensuring equal inheritance rights for daughters.

• As an author, her autobiography, On Balance, chronicles her life and career, while her writings reflect her deep commitment to justice and human rights.

First Woman Chief Justice of India Early Life

1. Childhood and Obstacles

Born on October 20, 1930, in Lucknow, India, Leila Seth broke multiple barriers in the legal field. She became Delhi High Court’s first female judge and later India’s first female Chief Justice. Despite societal discouragement, she pursued law, passing the London Bar Exam and earning her law degree. Through hard work and determination, she paved the way for women in India’s legal system.

Key Achievements:

• First female judge of the Delhi High Court.
• First female Chief Justice of a state in India.
• Passed the London Bar Exam, becoming a legal expert.
• Faced and overcame gender biases in a male-dominated profession.
• Became a Supreme Court advocate in 1958.
• Championed justice, equality, and legal reforms throughout her career.

Leila Seth’s journey is an inspiration for women in law, proving that with determination and intelligence, anything is possible.

2. Married Life and Education

Leila Seth balanced her personal and professional life with grace and determination. After marrying Premo Seth in 1951, she raised three children while continuing her legal career. She started as a lawyer in the Patna High Court and later moved to Delhi, where she made history as the first female judge of the Delhi High Court in 1978. In 1991, she became the first female Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court. She was a strong advocate for gender equality, social justice, and children’s rights, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire.

Key Achievements:

• Managed family life while excelling in her legal career.
• Became Delhi High Court’s first female judge (1978).
• Appointed Himachal Pradesh’s first female Chief Justice (1991).
• Advocated for gender equality and social justice.
• Fought for women’s and children’s rights.
• Inspired future generations to challenge barriers and pursue law.

Leila Seth’s life is a testament to determination, resilience, and breaking stereotypes in the legal world.

First Woman Chief Justice of India in Legal Career

Leila Seth – India’s First Female Judge of the Delhi High Court

Leila Seth, a trailblazer who helped other remarkable women lawyers follow in her footsteps, is a legend in Indian law. Numerous individuals have found inspiration in her unwavering perseverance and remarkable intellect in the legal profession.

From Start to Being First Woman Judge in 1978

Leila Seth was a trailblazer in the Indian legal system. Despite facing gender bias in a male-dominated field, she built a remarkable career through hard work, legal expertise, and dedication to justice. She became the first woman judge of the Delhi High Court in 1978 and the first female member of the Law Commission in 1974. Her life was dedicated to human rights, gender equality, and legal reform, making her an inspiration for future generations.

Key Achievements & Milestones:

• Started her legal career in the 1950s, overcoming gender stereotypes.
• Appointed as a judge in the Patna High Court, marking the beginning of her judicial journey.
• She faced challenges due to gender bias, but her legal skills earned respect from peers.
• Moved to Delhi in the 1960s, where she gained recognition for her legal expertise.
• Became the first Indian woman to serve on the Law Commission in 1974, advocating for legislative reforms.
• Made history in 1978 as the first female judge of the Delhi High Court.
• Focused on human rights, justice, and gender equality, working tirelessly for social change.
• Fought for the rights of the oppressed, influencing India’s legal landscape.

Leila Seth’s legacy continues to inspire women to break barriers and pursue leadership roles in law.

From Judge to First Woman Chief Justice of India

After working as a High Court judge for thirteen years, Leila Seth made history again by becoming the first woman Chief Justice in 1991. Her promotion to this important job was another big step towards gender equality.

The passing of Justice Leila Seth

Justice Leila Seth, a trailblazing figure in Indian law, passed away peacefully at her residence in Noida on the night of May 5th, 2017. She was 86 years old.

Justice Seth is survived by her husband, Prem Seth, and their children. Following her wishes, a funeral service was not held. Following her deeply held beliefs in the power of medical advancement, Justice Seth generously donated her eyes and other organs for transplantation or research purposes.

Leila Seth: A Legacy of Equity and Empowerment

Justice Leila Seth’s life and career were testaments to selflessness and unwavering dedication to social justice. She left behind a remarkable legacy, having reshaped not only legislation but also societal attitudes in India.

Through her pioneering work, Justice Seth helped pave the way for a safer and more equitable India. Her efforts targeted both legal frameworks and public consciousness, promoting a vision of justice that embraced inclusivity and fairness.

Trailblazing Achievements

1. Breaking Barriers in Law: 

• Leila Seth became the first Indian woman to top the London Bar exam in 1958. This early accomplishment set the stage for her pioneering legal career. 

• In 1978, she was appointed the first woman judge of the Delhi High Court, an unprecedented milestone during a time when few women held prominent positions in the judiciary. 

• In 1991, she became the first woman Chief Justice of a High Court in India, leading the Himachal Pradesh High Court with distinction. 

2. Contributions to Legal Reforms: 

• She played a key role in the Justice Verma Committee (2012), which recommended critical amendments to India’s laws on sexual assault, promoting stricter enforcement and protection for victims. 

• Justice Seth was instrumental in the amendment of the Hindu Succession Act, ensuring equal property inheritance rights for daughters. 

3. Advocate for Human Rights: 

• Known for her compassion and commitment to equity, Justice Seth championed causes related to women’s empowerment, children’s rights, and gender equality. Her leadership inspired progressive changes in the Indian legal system. 

The First Female Chief Justice of India

Justice M. Fathima Beevi – India’s First Female Chief Justice

Justice M. Fathima Beevi, born on April 30, 1927, in Pathanamthitta, Kerala, made history as India’s first female Supreme Court judge in 1989. Starting her career in Kerala’s judicial system, she overcame gender bias and climbed the ranks through hard work and dedication. Her journey paved the way for women in the legal profession, inspiring future generations to break barriers and achieve success.

Key Milestones & Achievements:

• Education: Completed B.Sc. and Law degree from Trivandrum.
• 1950: Enrolled as an advocate.
• 1958: Appointed as Munsiff in Kerala’s Subordinate Judicial Services.
• 1968-1974: Promoted through various ranks, becoming District & Sessions Judge.
• 1980: Served as Judicial Member of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal.
• 1983-1989: Appointed as High Court Judge and later became a permanent judge.
• 1989: Created history as India’s first female Supreme Court judge.
• 1992: Retired after an illustrious career in the judiciary.

Justice Beevi’s journey is a testament to perseverance, breaking gender stereotypes, and empowering women in the legal field. She remains an inspiration for future generations striving for justice and equality.

Challenges of Becoming (CJI) in the 90s

1. Social Status of Chief Justice of India

The Chief Justice of India (CJI) is the most senior judge in the nation and serves as the head of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court assigns cases and chooses justices, among other administrative duties. Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud has held the office of Chief Justice of India since November 9, 2022. The President of India selects the CJI, and the CJI serves until retirement at 65 years of age. The Indian Parliament determines the Chief Justice of India’s pay and working conditions.

2. The Social Background of That Time

The 1980s marked a watershed decade for social transformation in Indian society. During this period, the women’s rights and equality movement experienced a significant rise. Thus, in terms of transformation, the 1980s were a turning-point decade. However, many men practiced law compared to women, and prospective female lawyers faced challenging odds.

3. Challenges for Women to Get an Education

This generation of women faced numerous substantial barriers to higher education, particularly in fields like law, where men have historically dominated the workforce. Many women still encounter obstacles in pursuing their ambitions. This is largely attributed to the persistence of harmful gender stereotypes and biases in today’s society.

Women Judges from the Indian Supreme Court

Women have steadily increased since the Supreme Court of India was founded. Even though gender parity in India’s judiciary is still in its infancy. The appointment of female chief justices to the highest court has profoundly affected the regulatory framework of the country.

List of Female Chief Justices of India

A List of female Chief Justices of India’s Supreme Court includes the following: 

No	Name	Date of Appointment	Date of Retirement	Position before being appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court	Notes
1	Fathima Beevi	6 October 1989	29 April 1992	Judge of the Kerala High Court	First female judge of the Supreme Court of India
2	Sujata Manohar	8 November 1994	27 August 1999	Chief Justice, Bombay High Court	Known for her progressive judgments on human rights and women’s rights.
3	Justice Ruma Pal	January 2000	June 2006	​​Judge, Calcutta High Court	​​Renowned for her integrity and involvement in landmark judgments.
4	Justice Gyan Sudha Misra	April 2010	April 2014	​​Judge, Jharkhand High Court	Known for her clear and concise judgments, especially in women’s rights and social justice.
5	Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai	September 2011	October 2014	​​Judge, Bombay High Court	Served with distinction and was part of several significant judgments.
6	Justice R. Banumathi	August 2014	​​July 2020	​​Chief Justice, Jharkhand High Court	Had a long and illustrious career in the judiciary, known for her fairness.
7	Justice Indu Malhotra	April 2018	​​March 2021	​​Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India	​​First woman lawyer to be directly elevated to the Supreme Court from the Bar.
8	Justice Indira Banerjee	August 2018	Present	​​Chief Justice, Madras High Court	Known for her legal understanding and commitment to justice.
9	Justice Hima Kohli	January 2021	Present	Chief Justice, Telangana High Court	​​Known for her strong stance on women’s rights and social justice.
10	Justice B.V. Nagarathna	August 2021	Present	Judge, Karnataka High Court	​​Projected to become the first woman Chief Justice of India in 2027.

Conclusion

Apart from dismantling barriers based on gender, these trailblazing women have transformed India’s legal system and motivated upcoming generations to pursue legal careers. Their immense contributions to law and society will inspire positive change and equality.

Also Read:-

• List of Chief Justices of India (1950-2023)
• List of Vice Presidents of India from 1950 to 2023
• Draupadi Murmu Tribe: Trailblazing India’s Presidential Path
• Public Interest Litigation in India: Empowering Citizens for Justice

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