Justice BV Nagarathna Could Become The First Woman Chief Justice Of India

Justice BV Nagarathna is among the nine names recommended by Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana on Tuesday for appointment to the Supreme Court. If the centre clears the recommendations, Justice Nagarathna could become the first woman CJI in 2027.

Bar & Bench has confirmed the recommendations for elevation by the Collegium. The nine names comprise three women - Justice Nagarathna of the Karnataka High Court, Justice Bela Trivedi of the Gujarat High Court and first woman Chief Justice of Telangana HC Hima Kohli.

If it comes to pass, Justice Nagarathna in the role of India's first woman Chief Justice would be historic for the representation of women whose numbers are still far and few between in the judiciary. Data reports reveal a glaring gender chasm in Indian lawmaking - only 7.2 percent of top seats in the judiciary are occupied by women. Read here.

Get To Know Justice BV Nagarathna, The Potential First Woman CJI

Justice Nagarathna began practicing law in Bengaluru after enrolling as an advocate in 1987. She became Additional Judge of the Karnataka HC in 2008 and was appointed as a permanent judge in 2010, as per reports. She is the daughter of late ES Venkataramiah, the 19th Chief Justice of India who served in the role in 1989.

After recommended names surfaced in the media Wednesday, CJI Ramana reportedly expressed disappointment in the way reports presented the news. He said "irresponsible" reporting, as is being seen, was "counterproductive" when the collegium's recommendations hadn't yet been approved.

"The process of appointment of judges is sacrosanct... I appreciate maturity and responsibility displayed by majority of senior journalists and media houses in not speculating on such serious matter," NDTV quoted the CJI saying.

Image: Karnataka Judiciary website

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