Justice Fathima Beevi: SC's first woman judge was an 'outlier' in many ways
Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud once described her as an outlier in many ways, who with sheer grit and hard work rose up the ranks to become a SC judge. She opened a closed door for women in judiciary
She was considered to be an 'outlier in many ways', who with 'sheer grit and hard work' opened a firmly closed door for women in judiciary. Her journey from a munsiff to becoming the first woman judge in the country's apex court is an inspiring one.
It was no mean feat for a Muslim woman in 1950, to don the lawyer's robes and practice at the Kollam district court in Kerala. Fathima Beevi became the cynosure of all eyes as the only woman who practised law at that time in a male-dominated profession and although cases were hard to come by, she dug in her heels and worked as a lawyer for eight years. And, then she took up the challenge of writing the examination for munsiff and was appointed as one in the Kerala Subordinate Judicial Services in 1958.
It was this single-minded determination that led her to rise up the ranks and become the first woman judge of the Supreme Court. Later, she also became the governor of Tamil Nadu.
Condolences and accolades are pouring in for Justice Fathima Beevi, who passed away at 96, at a private hospital in Kollam in Kerala on Thursday (November 23).
Official sources said that she was admitted to the private hospital a few days ago due to age-related ailments and breathed her last on Thursday afternoon around 12.15 pm.
First woman from Muslim community
Expressing condolences over the death of Justice Beevi, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan recalled her journey from overcoming the educational challenges that girls face to becoming the first woman judge of the Supreme Court.
He further said that Justice Beevi was the first woman from the Muslim community to be a part of the higher judiciary, as she was able to overcome the negative aspects of social situations by seeing them as challenges. Her life is an inspiration to everyone, especially women, the chief minister said, adding that as a tribute to her, she has been chosen for the Kerala Prabha Award.
State Health Minister Veena George expressed condolences, saying that the news of the demise of Justice Beevi was extremely painful. The minister said that Justice Beevi made a mark as the first woman judge of the Supreme Court and as the Tamil Nadu Governor.
"She was a brave woman who had many records to her name. She was a personality who, through her own life, showed that willpower and a sense of purpose can overcome any adversity," George said in a statement.
Her life journey
Justice Beevi was the eldest of eight children born to Annaveetil Meera Sahib and Khadeeja Beevi in April 1927 in Kerala's Pathanamthitta district.
She completed her schooling at the Catholicate High School there and then acquired a BSc degree in chemistry from University College in Thiruvananthapuram.
Her open-minded father who was inspired by Anna Chandy, the first woman judicial officer in Travancore, encouraged his daughter to study law, and she obtained her bachelor of law degree from Government Law College in Thiruvananthapuram. A gold medallist in her batch of LLB, Beevi started her legal profession as an advocate at Kollam district court in November 1950.
After writing the examination for munsiff, she was appointed as a munsiff in the Kerala Subordinate Judicial Services in 1958. Ten years later, she was promoted as subordinate judge in 1968; then she became chief judicial magistrate in 1972 and a district and sessions judge thereafter in 1974. She was appointed as the judicial member of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal in 1980.
Her elevation to the Kerala high court came in 1983 and she became a permanent judge there the very next year. She broke the glass ceiling when she went on to become the first woman judge in the Supreme Court of India in 1989. She retired in 1992.
After her retirement, she served as a member of the National Human Rights Commission before becoming the governor of Tamil Nadu in 1997.
Tumultuous period
As governor of Tamil Nadu, Justice Beevi faced her share of controversies. It was a tumultuous period for a jurist who had shied away from the limelight in all her years in the judiciary.
In May 2001, she attracted attention when she invited AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa, whose party had won the majority, to become the chief minister. This move came amid debates whether it was suitable to make Jayalalithaa the CM, after she had been disqualified from contesting the elections.
The next month in June, more drama was to follow. In the infamous midnight dramatic arrest of the late Tamil Nadu CM K Karunanidhi, the governor's report to the Centre favouring Jayalalitha's decision drew a lot of flak. She then resigned after the Union cabinet decided to recall the governor for not giving an objective report.
However, it was ironically, Karunanidhi who had recommended her name as governor to the Centre. In her tenure as Tamil Nadu governor, Justice Fathima Beevi also rejected the mercy petitions filed by four condemned prisoners in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.
Personal life
Justice Fathima Beevi chose not to marry. Priya Ravindran, who has made a documentary Neethipathayile Dheera Vanitha on the judge told The Hindu that Fathima Beevi "maintained a distance from her family and friends. No one really knew her well enough". But, she was reportedly close to her youngest sister who passed away a few years ago.
She was also considered to be a role model for gender justice. In addition to her legal and political career, this pioneer was also a social activist and philanthropist. She was actively involved in various women causes and worked for the empowerment of women.
Justice Fathima Beevi's burial will be held tomorrow (November 24) at the Pathanamthitta Juma Masjid.
(With inputs from agencies)
