On 15th May 2017, Justice Rekha Palli was appointed as a judge of the Delhi High Court.
NEW DELHI: A farewell reference to honor Hon’ble Ms. Justice Rekha Palli on her retirement will be held by the Full Court on March 7, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. in Courtroom No. 1. The farewell will be live-streamed, and you can view it by clicking the following link: https://webcast.gov.in/delhi/highcourt
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Justice Palli was widely regarded as a “relief-giving” judge, ensuring that justice was not merely delayed or lost in procedural technicalities but was delivered with efficiency and empathy. Her pragmatic approach to adjudication and her keen sense of justice made her one of the most respected members of the Delhi High Court.
Justice Palli’s tenure was particularly notable for her encouragement of junior advocates. She believed in providing young lawyers with an equal platform to present their arguments, fostering a courtroom environment where merit triumphed over seniority.
One of the most memorable incidents from her time on the bench took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, in a virtual court hearing. In a remarkable display of judicial decorum, Justice Palli intervened when a senior counsel was found shouting at his own instructing lawyer. She promptly schooled the senior advocate, reminding him of the importance of mutual respect within the legal profession. This incident reinforced her commitment to maintaining dignity in court proceedings, ensuring that everyone—regardless of position or experience—was treated with due respect.
As the Delhi High Court Bar Association bid farewell to Justice Palli, many members expressed their gratitude for her years of service. Her presence on the bench will be missed, but her contributions to the legal system will continue to inspire both current and future generations of legal professionals.
Justice Rekha Palli
Justice Rekha Palli was born on 9th March 1963. She completed her schooling at Lady Irwin School and later pursued a Bachelor of Science degree from Hindu College, Delhi University, in 1983. Following this, she earned her Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the Campus Law Centre, Delhi, in 1986.
Legal Career
Justice Palli started her legal career in July 1986 when she enrolled as an advocate with the Bar Council of Delhi. Initially, she practiced law at the Punjab and Haryana High Court until March 1989. In March 1991, she registered as an Advocate on Record with the Supreme Court of India.
Over the years, she gained extensive experience in various courts, including the Delhi High Court, the Supreme Court of India, the Central Administrative Tribunal, the Armed Forces Tribunal, and the National Company Law Tribunal. She specialized in service law and company law cases and handled several matters of public importance.
Justice Palli was appointed as Standing Counsel for the Delhi High Court, the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), and Air Force Schools. She also served as a Senior Panel Counsel for the Government of India at the Delhi High Court and represented various universities and municipal corporations in the Supreme Court of India. In April 2015, she was designated as a Senior Advocate by the Delhi High Court.
Judicial Appointment
On 15th May 2017, Justice Rekha Palli was appointed as a judge of the Delhi High Court.
Notable Cases and Judgments
- In 2017, Justice Palli handled the high-profile case of Delhi University student Najeeb Ahmad, who had gone missing under mysterious circumstances after an alleged altercation with members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). Amidst protests from students over the lack of progress in the investigation by Delhi Police, Justice Palli ordered the case to be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
- In 2018, she presided over a politically sensitive case concerning the disqualification of twenty-three Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislators from the Delhi Legislative Assembly. The case attracted significant public attention before it was withdrawn with mutual consent.
- In the same year, Justice Palli, along with Justice Hima Kohli, upheld the Union Government’s decision to terminate the employment of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel who were found to be color-blind, ruling that such a decision was legal.
Current Role in 2024
As of 2024, Justice Rekha Palli is serving as the Chairperson of the Juvenile Justice Committee of the Delhi High Court. In this role, she oversees the implementation of the Juvenile Justice Act in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, ensuring the protection and welfare of children under the law.
