CJI Lauds Promotion Of Gender Equality In District Judiciary

The halls of justice resonate with a sense of progress as Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, recently expressed his delight at the rising trend of women being appointed to the district judiciary across the nation. In a heartening announcement made before the commencement of court proceedings, CJI Chandrachud shared news that brings hope and optimism to the legal landscape.

A Resounding Message of Inclusivity

CJI DY Chandrachud, a stalwart in the Indian judiciary, delivered this remarkable news with a sense of pride and inclusivity.

 His announcement revolved around the recent recruitment of 75 civil judges in Maharashtra, and what made this announcement truly remarkable was that 42 of these newly appointed judges were women. This represents a substantial leap forward in achieving gender balance within the judiciary.

"This is a trend happening across the country. There are more women judges in numbers," the CJI, who was sitting on a bench with Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, said.

Diversity Beyond Gender

This isn't just a story of increased representation; it's also about the extraordinary skills and talents these judges bring to the bench. Among the fresh recruits, one is a state-level cricket player, another a trained gymnast, and some are artists. This diversity extends beyond gender, adding a new dimension to the judiciary, where a range of talents and interests can contribute to a richer legal landscape.

Hope for the Supreme Court

Advocate Dushyant Dave voiced a crucial sentiment - the hope that this wave of inclusivity would also extend to the Supreme Court. In response, CJI Chandrachud acknowledged the importance of women's representation in the highest court and noted that the composition of the Supreme Court mirrors the legal landscape of fifteen years ago. This statement reflects an earnest desire to see the Supreme Court evolve to better represent the demographic diversity of the nation.

Women Inclusive Judiciary: A Step Toward Equality

The heartwarming trend of appointing more women in district judiciaries signifies a monumental step towards a more inclusive and equal legal system. It demonstrates a commitment to diversity and the recognition of the immense talents and abilities women bring to the judicial arena. This shift not only ensures a fair and just legal system but also empowers women to take their rightful place as leaders in the judiciary.

Previous Data - A Catalyst for Change

The Indian judiciary has long been a male-dominated realm, with women vastly underrepresented at the Bench in the Supreme Court and various High Courts (HCs) as both puisne judges and Chief Justices. The composition of the Supreme Court collegium also reveals a glaring lack of women.

As of June 2023, among the 788 judges across all HCs, only 107 (13%) are women. None of the 25 HCs in India have a woman Chief Justice. The Punjab & Haryana and Madras HCs lead with 13 women judges each, while the Delhi HC follows with 10. Nine women serve on the Bench in the Bombay, Calcutta, and Telangana HCs. Eight judges in the Allahabad HC are women. Seven women serve in the Gujarat HC, and five each in the Karnataka and Kerala HCs. Yet, five HCs (Manipur, Meghalaya, Patna, Tripura, and Uttarakhand) have no women on the Bench, and ten HCs have fewer than five women judges each.

Why is this significant? Because HCs are the primary source for Supreme Court appointments. A shortage of female representation at the High Court level translates into fewer women judges at the highest level, the Supreme Court. To date, only one woman, Justice Indu Malhotra, has been directly appointed to the SC. In June 2023, the SC consisted of 31 judges out of a sanctioned 34, with merely three being women. As three more SC judges retire this year, the SC collegium holds the potential to introduce more women to the SC. However, the scarcity of senior women judges in the High Courts poses practical challenges.

So, this rise in numbers offers hope for increased female representation in the judiciary, affirming that the halls of justice are not gender-exclusive but a bastion of justice above all.

The rise of women in district judiciary is a beacon of hope and a testament to the evolution of our legal system. It is a stride towards a more inclusive and equal society where every talented individual has a chance to contribute to the pursuit of justice. The legal landscape of India is evolving, and these new appointments are a key step toward a brighter, more equitable future.

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