BuzzBytes 23 November 2023
Renowned legal luminary and trailblazer, Justice Fathima Beevi, the first woman judge of the Supreme Court of India, breathed her last at the age of 96. Hailing from Kerala, she shattered glass ceilings throughout her illustrious career.
Born in 1927, Justice Beevi’s pioneering journey in law began with topping the Bar Council exam in 1950, securing the first-ever Bar Council gold medal for a woman. Her ascent in the legal realm continued as she progressed from an advocate in Kerala to achieving the position of a district and sessions judge in 1974.
In 1980, she joined the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, marking another milestone. Three years later, in 1983, she ascended to the position of a High Court judge. However, her most historic achievement came in 1989 when she became the first woman appointed to the Supreme Court.
Justice Fathima Beevi not only etched her name as the first woman in the higher echelons of the judiciary but also made history as the first Muslim woman to hold such a distinguished position in an Asian country.
Post her retirement in 1993, Justice Beevi continued her dedicated service to society. She served as a member of the National Human Rights Commission and later assumed the role of Governor of Tamil Nadu. Her principled stand, exemplified by rejecting mercy petitions in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, showcased her commitment to justice.
India mourns the loss of a legal luminary whose legacy will inspire generations to come.
