Patna: The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the appointment of Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai, a senior judge of the Sikkim High Court, as the next Chief Justice of the Patna High Court.
The recommendation has been sent to the Central Government following the impending retirement of the current Chief Justice of the Patna High Court, Sangam Kumar Sahoo.
Justice Sahoo is scheduled to retire on June 4, 2026. Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai is expected to assume office on June 5 and will become the 48th Chief Justice of the Patna High Court.
Her appointment will mark another significant milestone for women’s representation in the higher judiciary. The Patna High Court had earlier witnessed its first female Chief Justice in Rekha M Doshit, who served from June 21, 2010, to December 12, 2014.
First Permanent Female Judge of Sikkim High Court
Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai is recognised as the first permanent woman judge of the Sikkim High Court.
During her judicial career, she has also served several times as Acting Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court.
Legal observers described her proposed elevation as an important moment for judicial diversity and representation in the Indian higher judiciary.
Academic and Legal Background
Born on July 12, 1964, in Sikkim, Justice Rai comes from a distinguished administrative family. Her father served as the Home Secretary of Sikkim.
She completed:
- Political Science (Honours) from Lady Shri Ram College
- LL.B. from the Campus Law Centre, University of Delhi
She enrolled with the Delhi Bar Council in 1990 and practised law at both the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court before joining judicial service.
Long Judicial Career
Justice Rai was appointed as a Judicial Magistrate First Class in Sikkim in December 1990, becoming the first woman from the state to hold the position.
Over the years, she has served in several important judicial and administrative capacities, including:
- District and Sessions Judge
- Registrar General of the Sikkim High Court
- Family Court Judge
- Special Judge for NDPS and Anti-Corruption Act cases
In 2004, she was elevated as District and Sessions Judge.
On April 15, 2015, she became the first permanent woman judge of the Sikkim High Court.
Appointment Awaits Formal Approval
The appointment will formally take effect after approval by the Central Government and issuance of the official warrant of appointment.
