The Centre has approved the appointment of Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai as the Chief Justice of the Patna High Court, acting on the recommendation of the Supreme Court Collegium.
The Centre approved the appointment of Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai as the Chief Justice of the Patna High Court, based on the Supreme Court Collegium’s recommendation.
Union Minister of State (I/C) for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal said in a post on X,
“In exercise of the power conferred by the Constitution of India and in consultation with the Chief Justice of India, the President is pleased to appoint Smt. Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai, Judge of the Sikkim High Court, as Chief Justice of the Patna High Court,”
The apex court Collegium, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, at its meeting held on May 22, recommended Justice Rai’s appointment as Chief Justice of the Patna High Court following the retirement of the then Chief Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo on June 4.
Born on July 12, 1964, Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai completed her schooling in Gangtok and Kurseong before pursuing Political Science (Honours) at Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University, on a merit scholarship from the Government of Sikkim. She later earned her LL.B. from the Campus Law Centre, Delhi University, in 1989.
Prior to her appointment to the Bench, she was enrolled with the Bar Association of Delhi in 1990 and practised law before the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court as an Advocate-on-Record. She was appointed as a judge of the Sikkim High Court on April 15, 2015, making her the first woman from Sikkim to be elevated to the post.
Justice Rai has also served as Acting Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court on several occasions and currently works as the Executive Chairperson of the Sikkim State Legal Services Authority.