Victoria Gowri Takes Oath As Madras High Court Judge; Supreme Court Dismisses Case Against Her Appointment

Advocate L Victoria Gowri took oath as an additional judge of the Madras High Court this morning (7 February). She was administered the oath of office by Acting Chief Justice T Raja.

Her appointment was cleared by the Centre in a notification put out yesterday (6 February) by Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju. She was among 12 others, whose names were cleared for appointment as High Court judges.

A few days back, a group of lawyers from Tamil Nadu, led by NGR Prasad had written to the President and the Supreme Court collegium asking them not to appoint her as a judge because of her comments against religious minorities. They added that she was linked to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

While the oath-taking ceremony was underway in the Madras High Court, a Supreme Court bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and BR Gavai dismissed the petition challenging her appointment and said that their reasons would follow.

Yesterday (6 February), Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud agreed to grant an urgent hearing in the matter based on a plea filed by the group of lawyers who opposed her appointment.

Also Read: Victoria Gowri's Record As An Able Advocate And Conscientious Citizen Shows Why 'Communalism' Charges Against Her Are Completely And Utterly Baseless