In an unprecedented move, the Supreme Court of India, under the leadership of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, set a historic milestone by conferring Senior Advocate status on 11 women lawyers in a single day. This remarkable decision comes as a groundbreaking development, as only 12 women lawyers had been granted this esteemed status throughout the court’s history.
A total of 56 lawyers, including the groundbreaking 11 women and 34 first-generation lawyers, were accorded the prestigious title of Senior Advocate. Among the accomplished women lawyers who received this recognition are Shobha Gupta, Swarupama Chaturvedi, Liz Mathew, Karuna Nundy, Uttara Babbar, Haripriya Padmanabhan, Archana Pathak Dave, Shirin Khajuria, NS Nappinai, S Janani, and Nisha Bagchi.
The decision, reached during a full-court meeting of the Supreme Court, underscores the commitment of the legal institution to promote diversity and recognize merit within the legal profession. Chief Justice Chandrachud’s leadership has played a pivotal role in this significant step towards gender justice.
Expressing her appreciation for the decision, Additional Solicitor General and Senior Advocate Aishwarya Bhati noted that this move is a historic stride for the Supreme Court. She emphasized that it reflects the court’s acknowledgment of the merit of women lawyers, demonstrating a deep commitment to gender justice.
Notably, prior to this momentous occasion, the Supreme Court had granted Senior Advocate status to only 14 women, including two retired judges. In 2019, the court simultaneously bestowed Senior Lawyer status upon six women lawyers, namely Madhavi Dewan, Maneka Guruswamy, Anita Shenoy, Aparajita Singh, Aishwarya Bhati, and Priya Hingorani.
The first woman to be appointed as a Senior Advocate by the Supreme Court was Justice Indu Malhotra, who later ascended to become a judge of the Supreme Court. Justice Malhotra’s nomination in 2007 marked a significant milestone, occurring 57 years after the establishment of the Supreme Court. Subsequent appointments in 2013 and 2015 increased the number of Senior Lawyers to six, and two retired women high court judges were also nominated.
This latest move by the Supreme Court signifies a monumental step forward in recognizing and empowering women in the legal profession, showcasing a commitment to inclusivity and equality within the judiciary.
Sources By Agencies
