Gangtok: Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai made history on June 5 by taking the oath as the Chief Justice of the Patna High Court. Her appointment makes her the first woman from the Northeast to lead a High Court in India, signaling a major shift in the representation of women within the country's higher judiciary.
She steps into the role following the retirement of Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo. The appointment is celebrated as a landmark achievement for the state of Sikkim and has been met with praise from political leaders, judicial officers, and members of the legal community across the region.
Justice Rai brings over 30 years of legal experience to the position. Her career began in 1990 when she became the first female Judicial Magistrate First Class-cum-Civil Judge in Sikkim. She has since served in various administrative and judicial capacities, including District and Sessions Judge, Registrar General of the High Court of Sikkim, and Acting Chief Justice.
In 2015, she reached another milestone by becoming the first woman from Sikkim elevated as a judge of the High Court of Sikkim. Colleagues and legal experts view her current ascent as an inspiration for future generations of female legal professionals. One observer noted that her elevation is "a landmark achievement for Sikkim and a significant moment for the Indian judiciary, particularly in advancing the representation of women in senior judicial positions."
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