Madras HC welcomes newly sworn in Chief Justice VK Tahilramani

The Madras High Court today held a brief ceremony to welcome Chief Justice VK Tahilramani, who was sworn into office yesterday..Welcome speeches were rendered by various representatives from the Bar including Advocate General Vijay Narayan, President of the Madras High Courts Advocates Association (MHAA) G Mohanakrishnan, President of the Women Lawyers Association (WLA) V Nalini, Secretary of the Madras Bar Association (MBA) V Kamalanathan, and President of the Lawyers Association Krishnakumar..The event served to highlight the significance of having yet another woman assuming the mantle of the chartered High Court, as well as the vast experience that the Justice Tahilramani brings to the Court..Third Woman Chief Justice to take charge of Madras High Court.Advocate General Vijay Narayan noted at the outset that the Madras High Court has been blessed twice in quick succession with the appointment of another woman at its helm, following previous Chief Justice Indira Banerjee’s elevation to the Supreme Court..Other speakers at the event also expressed their happiness in welcoming the third woman Chief Justice to be appointed to the High Court, the first such appointment having been made in 1992..MHAA President G Mohanakrishnan commented that the appointment would serve as an inspiration among the practising women lawyers, and signify that the steps of the judiciary are equal..WLA President V Nalini added that there is still scope for improvement, remarking,.“In the new world, a woman’s place is not behind every successful man, but besides him being equally successful.”.While extending her warm welcome for the new Chief Justice, Nalini also emphases that there is a desperate need to appoint more women judges. She observed,.“… fewer than 1/3rd of judges in the state are women… while women make 51% of the general population…”.On the vast experience of Chief Justice Tahilramani.The AG informed the gathering that Chief Justice Tahilramani is the second senior most judge among High Court judges across the country, only below Chief Justice DB Bhosale of the Allahabad High Court..Prior to her elevation, she has had extensive practice, particularly in criminal law. After her enrolment in 1982, she practised in the High Court, City Civil and Sessions Courts. She joined the office of her father, LV Kapse, who was a renowned criminal lawyer..She has served on the panel of defence lawyers in the Sessions Court at Mumbai. She has also had a stint in teaching, as a part-time professor dealing with the Law of Crimes in the KC College between 1987 and 1993..Among the various roles she served between 1990 and 1997 are Assistant Government Pleader, Additional Public Prosecutor, Government Pleader and Public Prosecutor on the appellate side of the Bombay High Court..She was elevated to the Bombay High Court Bench in 2001, and since then has served as Acting Chief Justice thrice..In this background, the AG went on to remark,.“Given your Ladyship’s long tenure and vast experience, I can say with utmost confidence, your Ladyship will make a significant contribution to the cause of administration of justice while maintaining the great traditions of this hallowed court.”.Perhaps owing to her extensive experience in the field of criminal law, as per the new roster, Chief Justice Tahilramani will be hearing criminal appeals in the first court alongside Justice M Duraiswamy..This apart, the First Bench will also be dealing with PILs relating to women’s rights and appeals from the Central Administrative Tribunal..Matter of great prestige to be the Chief Justice of Madras High Court.Chief Justice Tahilramani commenced her address with a Tamil salutation,.“Annaivarukkam vanakkam.”.In her speech, she stated that she was privileged to become a part of the prestigious Madras High Court. She said,.“Glorious history, customs, conventions and lofty traditions and a galaxy of great judges and reputed lawyers of eminence have combined to confer upon the High Court of Madras a unique eminent status..…What greater privilege could I seek than to be the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, a premier, prestigious chartered High Court?”.She went on to observe that the Madras High Court had a place of its own in the annals of Indian judicial history. She attributed the same to several legendary lawyers who continue to inspire both lawyers and judges in the country..In this regard, she also noted that the Madras High Court has several firsts to its credit, including the first Indian High Court judge, the first Indian Advocate General, the first Indian Chief Justice in a High Court, and the first Indian law report..As her address drew to a close, she expressed her eagerness to work with the members of the Bar and the Bench to continue the good work of her predecessors..“I may need a little time to get myself acquainted with all the customs, the traditions…the local laws here. But I am sure with the assistance of my esteemed brother and sister judges and also from the bar, I will do well.”