Staff Desk
19 July 2024 4,252 5 mins read
Most attorneys in the Indian judicial system are men rather than women. In this blog, we have talked about a few of India's most promising female attorneys who have contributed significantly to the judiciary.
You only need to take a quick look at the Indian judicial system to see that most of the attorneys in black robes are men rather than women. Given the relatively low proportion of female advocates in India, it is crucial to recognise those who have succeeded in shattering the glass barrier. Let’s discuss in detail about a few top female lawyers in India and their contribution to the judiciary.
Here are a few of India’s trailblazing female attorneys who have made significant contributions to the judiciary in the nation. With their brilliance and dedication, these ladies have paved the way and greatly influenced everyone.
Table of Contents
Why is the Presence of More Female Lawyers in India Significant?
Justice Sujata Manohar told a story about how she first started practising law at a seminar in Goa. Her male coworkers unjustly questioned her about whether or not she entered the profession to look for a husband in the courts. This was when only a few women attorneys entered the legal field. In India, female attorneys are underrepresented. It is clear that India lacks female attorneys because there are only 73 female judges in the high courts and three female justices in the Supreme Court.
Menaka Guruswamy’s Accomplishments and Her Status as a Super Lawyer
Menaka Guruswamy, one of India’s top human rights and constitutional attorneys, was crucial to the decriminalisation of Section 377. She was a lecturer at Columbia Law School and a B R Ambedkar Research Scholar. In several situations, she has been at the fore of efforts to rewrite legislation from the colonial era.
She also played a significant part in defending a right-to-education clause requiring the admission of underprivileged kids to private schools. She was also nominated as amicus curiae in cases involving military extrajudicial executions in Manipur and the battle for women’s access to the revered Sabrimala shrine.
The Accomplishments That Make Flavia Agnes a Stellar Lawyer
Flavia Agnes, a well-known women’s rights attorney who practises in the Mumbai High Court, is a lawyer. She specialises in property, marriage, and divorce law. Due to her experience with domestic abuse, Flavia decided to concentrate her attention on the legislation regarding various women’s concerns.
She helped co-found MAJLIS, and as a result, she has helped 50,000 women access legal services and counseling services. She currently provides advice to Maharashtra’s Ministry of Women and Child Development. She serves as a government adviser as well.
Karuna Nundy’s Accomplishments and Status as a Super Lawyer
The Nirbhaya rape case in Delhi in 2012 led to the creation of the “anti-rape” bill, which Karuna Nundy, one of the best female attorneys in India, greatly contributed to. Her work won her great respect and put her on the list of new-wave feminists. She is a global human rights attorney and Supreme Court advocate. Karuna advocated for the Bhopal Gas Tragedy victims and contributed to eliminating carcinogenic chemicals and hazardous waste dumps.
She also represented the People’s Union for Civil Liberties in the litigation that repealed Section 66A of the Information Technology Act of 2000. She has offices in New York and India. She also assisted in the creation of the 2013 Criminal Law Amendment Bill.
The Accomplishments That Make Indira Jaising a Phenomenal Lawyer
Indira Jaising, a senior counsel at the Supreme Court, has a stellar reputation as a human rights attorney. She was listed as one of the 20 best executives in the world in Fortune magazine’s list published in 2018. Indira Jaising, one of India’s most well-known female advocates, has advocated for the rights of Mumbai’s homeless people. She has been involved in several important cases. One of the notable cases was when she fought Union Carbide Corporation on behalf of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy victims to secure their compensation.
The Accomplishments That Make Kamini Jaiswal a Super Lawyer
Indian woman attorney Kamini Jaiswal has defended the rights of the accused in some of the most prominent terror-related cases in the nation. The Akshardham explosion case, the Red Fort attack, and the Parliament attack are a few of examples. She was crucial in helping several innocent persons receive pardons. In addition, she participates in the Committee on Judicial Accountability. In one of the interviews, she acknowledged outright that anti-terror measures target Muslims and other minorities. Despite getting threatening calls, Kamini persisted in carrying out her obligation as an advocate for human rights.
Rebecca John’s Accomplishments and What Makes Her a Brilliant Lawyer
The Delhi High Court upgraded Rebecca to senior advocate status in 2013, making her the first female attorney to receive this honour. She has meticulously practised in the appellate, trial, and Supreme Courts and has a wealth of expertise in her profession. She has a reputation for handling high-profile matters throughout her career.
She advocated for those hurt in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots that targeted Sikhs. Rebecca, one of the best female lawyers in India, defended Harshad Mehta in the Securities Scam of 1992. In the Aarushi murder case, which made her famous, she represented the accused. The media has actively covered the majority of the cases she has been involved in.
The Accomplishments That Make Deepika Singh Rajawat a Super Lawyer
While advocating for the 8-year-old Muslim grazer girl who was the Kathua rape victim, Deepika Singh Rajawat rose to national prominence. She was savagely gang-raped and killed in the Rasana hamlet of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua region.
Deepika persisted in fighting for justice for the accused despite getting death threats, being socially ostracised, and losing the support of her community of attorneys who objected to the submission of the charge sheet. Her victory is, in fact, historic. She also serves as the chairman of “Voice for Rights,” an NGO that works on human rights issues.
Women Lawyers’ Role in Transforming the Legal System
In India, female attorneys have increased the legitimacy of the courts by sending a clear message that they are open to everyone seeking justice. They’ve improved the standard of justice. Due to their dedication to upholding the legitimacy of the causes they have battled for, they have gained the public’s confidence.
Women in law have set the bar high. They have eradicated all gender preconceptions and cultivated empathy in courtrooms. For many, these attorneys have evolved into rays of hope who inspire them to confidently knock on the court’s doors.
Recognising These Exceptional Attorneys’ Achievements
Today, we have laws in place to protect women thanks to the presence of such brave and intelligent women in India’s legal system. These strong women have demonstrated to the world that no one’s gender should prevent them from acting professionally. These attorneys have carved out a position for themselves in the Indian legal system, where women have historically experienced discrimination and still do today while maintaining their individuality and doing their jobs with unwavering zeal.
Conclusion
Such outstanding female attorneys have significantly contributed to India’s judicial system. These strong women overcame all obstacles to triumph by using their “intellect and strength” sword to uplift other groups in society and provide justice. They serve as an example for all women to pursue their goals, whether personally or professionally. For more insights and expert legal advice, keep a tab on the blog section of Vakilsearch to gain more knowledge about similar topics.
