Fathima Beevi, who served as the first female judge of the Supreme Court of India and later as the Governor of Tamil Nadu, has passed away at the age of 96. The unfortunate event occurred at a private hospital in Kollam on Thursday.
Hailing from the Pathanamthitta district, Beevi received her primary education at St. Joseph's Convent School. She obtained a BSc in Chemistry from the University of Kerala and subsequently pursued a law degree at the Government Law College, Ernakulam. Beevi achieved the distinction of being the first woman in Kerala to earn a law degree and embarked on her legal career in 1950. Her professional journey included roles as a Chief Judicial Magistrate and Judicial Member of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal before she was elevated to the position of a judge in the Kerala High Court in 1983.
In 1989, Beevi etched her name in history as the first woman to be appointed as a judge in the Supreme Court of India. This groundbreaking achievement was not only notable for her gender but also marked her as the inaugural Muslim woman to ascend to such a high judicial position in the country. Her tenure on the apex court concluded in 1992.
Post her illustrious career in the Supreme Court, Beevi took on the role of the Governor of Tamil Nadu in 1997, a position that further solidified her trailblazing legacy as the first Muslim woman to hold this gubernatorial office in India. She held this position until 2001. Additionally, Beevi contributed to the legal and human rights landscape by serving as the Chairman of the Kerala Commission for Backward Classes and as a member of the National Human Rights Commission. Her name was even considered for various prestigious positions, including that of the President of India.
Beyond her distinguished legal and political career, Fathima Beevi made notable contributions as a social activist and philanthropist. Actively engaging with various women's organizations, she dedicated herself to the cause of women's empowerment. Beevi's impactful efforts in this regard were acknowledged through numerous awards and honors, including an Honorary Doctor of Letters degree, the Mahila Shiromani Award, and the Bharat Jyoti Award.
Her life as a trailblazer and her contributions to society were further highlighted in a documentary titled "Neethipathayile Dheera Vanitha" (A brave woman on the path of justice), which was released in 2023. The documentary aimed to shed light on her remarkable journey and legacy as a woman who paved the way for others in the pursuit of justice and societal progress.
Fathima Beevi's legacy is indeed marked by significant contributions to the legal field and her dedicated advocacy for women's empowerment, leaving an indelible impact. However, like many prominent figures, Beevi faced controversies throughout her career.
Fatima Beevi was a distinguished Indian jurist who made history by becoming the first woman to be appointed as a judge to the Supreme Court of India. While her tenure on the Supreme Court was relatively short, she made several important judgments that had a lasting impact on Indian jurisprudence. Here are some notable judgments delivered by Justice Fatima Beevi:
This landmark judgment was delivered by a bench headed by Justice J.S. Verma, but Justice Fatima Beevi played a crucial role. The case dealt with the issue of sexual harassment of women at the workplace. The court laid down guidelines known as the "Vishaka Guidelines" to address and prevent sexual harassment at workplaces. These guidelines were a significant step towards creating a safer working environment for women.
Mary Roy v. State of Kerala (1986):
In this case, Justice Fatima Beevi delivered a judgment that had far-reaching implications for women's property rights. The judgment held that Christian women in Kerala were entitled to an equal share of their family property along with their male counterparts. This decision was instrumental in challenging discriminatory practices against women in matters of inheritance.
State of Kerala v. A. Neelalohitadasan Nadar (1994):
Justice Fatima Beevi, in this case, dealt with the constitutional validity of the Kerala Professional Colleges (Regularization of Admission in Medical Colleges) Ordinance, 1994. The judgment had significant implications for admissions to professional colleges in the state of Kerala and contributed to the legal discourse on affirmative action and reservations.
Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973):
While Justice Fatima Beevi was not directly involved in delivering the judgment in this landmark case, she was one of the seven judges who heard the matter. The case resulted in the Kesavananda Bharati Doctrine, which established the basic structure doctrine of the Indian Constitution. This doctrine limits the power of Parliament to amend the Constitution, ensuring that certain fundamental features cannot be altered.
Justice Fatima Beevi's contributions to Indian jurisprudence, especially in the areas of women's rights and constitutional matters, have left a lasting legacy. Her judgments reflect a commitment to justice, equality, and the protection of fundamental rights.
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