A Goodbye to Justice R.Bhanumathi as she descends from the Supreme seat of justice

Briefly Recounting Justice Bhanumati’s career

• Justice Bhanumathi entered the Higher Judicial services in Tamil Nadu in 1988 as a district judge.
• She was elevated to the post of High Court Judge of Madras in 2003.
• She was then transferred to the High Court of Jharkhand in 2013 to become the Chief Justice.
• In 2014, Justice Bhanumathiwas raised to the position of the judge of Supreme Court of India, becoming the sixth woman to be appointed since 1950.
• She was the second woman sessions judge to preside over Supreme Court proceedings.
• Justice Bhanumathi also achieved the feat of becoming the second woman judge to be part of the Collegium, the first being Justice Ruma Pal.

A few Judgments by Justice Bhanumathithat deeply touched the lives of the citizens of India

Muniaswamithevar v Deputy Superintendent of Police:

This case is popularly known as the "jalikattu case". She banned all races like bullock cart races, oxen race that resulted in cruelty to animals in the name of custom and traditions.

Modern Dental College and Research centre v State of MP

Justice Bhanumathi writing the judgment for the 5 Judge bench held that, “regulation of private unaided colleges does not necessarily violate the fundamental right to free occupation under Article 19(1)(g). 

Mukesh v State (NCT of Delhi)

The “Nirbhaya Judgment,”that grabbed eye-balls Nationally and Internationally saw Justice R.Bhanumathi holding the act of the accused in the “rare of the rarest” category.

Also, the Judge was seen presiding over the “politically sensitive” case of P.Chidambram.

Bidding farewell to a woman who paved her way through the closed gates of justice

• Justice Bhanumathi, in her speech recalled her career to have “mountains of obstacles for no reason”.
• She states that she was herself a “victim of judicial delay”, as she could not receive compensation for her father’s death, who succumbed to injuries after a bus accident.
• But, Justice Bhanumathi did not loose hope as she completed her studies and achieved what continues to be a dream for many.
• She encourages all citizens to continue to keep their faith in the Judiciary of the Country which is burning the midnight oil to administer fairness and impartiality to all.
• With many impediments surrounding her life as a whole, Justice Bhanumathisteps down with many garlands of praises to take along.​

We Congratulate Justice Bhanumati for her achievements and thank her for her years of service to the Indian Judiciary.