Why should you read about Justice Indu Malhotra?
Indu Malhotra is the first woman to be directly appointed as the Supreme Court judge and has recently expressed her support for the LGBTQ community's "Right to Live". Her opinion is instrumental, now more than ever, with the ongoing proceedings regarding Section 377. Born in Bengaluru in 1956, she completed her education from Lady Shri Ram College, DU. Here's her extraordinary journey.
#Section377: It is not human beings alone who indulge in homosexual acts, many animals also show homosexual behaviour; It is not an aberration but a variation, Justice Indu Malhotra making a strong case against Section 377. pic.twitter.com/IvZiW7IfNq
— India Voice (@indiavoicenews) July 12, 2018
Being the daughter of a famous advocate Om Prakash Malhotra, she was naturally inclined towards a career in judiciary, which resulted in her pursuing LLB. Furthermore, she topped the Advocate-on-Record examination for the Supreme Court. Notably, in 2007, she became the second woman to be designated a senior advocate by the SC. Earlier, this honor was given to the legendary Justice Leila Seth.
Justice Malhotra stands for a lot of social causes, and her professional career is a testament to that. She was influential in the 2015 verdict which allowed legal guardianship to unmarried mothers without the father's consent. She was also a counsel in the PIL challenging the discrimination against women make-up artists in Bollywood. Further, she is a member of the SaveLIFE foundation.
Just when we think it can't get better than this, there is another feather in her cap. She has authored the 3rd edition of the commentary, The Law and Practice of Arbitration and Conciliation (2014). She has also specialized in the law of arbitration and has appeared in multiple national/international arbitration. She has been appointed as Amicus Curae by many benches of the SC.
Advocate Sunieta Ojha, a former employee of Malhotra said, "Justice Indu Malhotra was unlike any other Senior Lawyer, due to the sheer calm that she surrounds herself with...she is very disciplined and methodical with her work".
In a patriarchal structure like ours which is largely dictated by male godfathers, there is a pressing need for women role models. Women need the footsteps of exemplary females like J. Malhotra to follow, and mark them as "godmothers". She is not only an example of professional excellence but also a voice for the emancipation of women of the country.
