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Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Patna High Court on Friday, becoming the first woman from Northeast India to head a High Court in the country.

 

Justice Rai succeeds Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo, who retired earlier this year after serving as the Chief Justice of the Patna High Court.

 

Her appointment marks a significant milestone for the judiciary and for Sikkim, where she has been a trailblazer throughout her legal career. The elevation has been widely welcomed by members of the legal fraternity, judicial officers and political leaders, who described it as a proud moment for the Himalayan state and a step forward for women's representation in the higher judiciary.

 

Justice Rai's judicial journey spans more than three decades. In 1990, she became Sikkim's first woman Judicial Magistrate First Class-cum-Civil Judge, breaking new ground for women in the state's judicial system.

 

Over the years, she held several key positions, including Chief Judicial Magistrate, District and Sessions Judge, Registrar General of the High Court of Sikkim and later Acting Chief Justice.

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In 2015, she created history again by becoming the first woman from Sikkim to be elevated as a judge of the High Court of Sikkim.

 

Her appointment as Chief Justice of the Patna High Court adds another landmark achievement to a career distinguished by judicial service, administrative leadership and pioneering accomplishments.

 

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by judges, senior advocates, government officials and members of the legal community, who extended their best wishes to Justice Rai as she assumed charge of one of India's oldest High Courts.

 

Her elevation is being viewed as an inspiration for aspiring women lawyers and judicial officers across the country, reflecting the growing role of women in India's higher judiciary.

 

The appointment also highlights increasing diversity and regional representation within the higher judicial system, with Justice Rai becoming the first woman from the Northeast to occupy the top post in any High Court in India.