First Muslim woman judge of India’s top court dies in Kerala at 96

Ashraf Padanna, Correspondent

Justice M Fathima Beevi, the first woman judge of India’s Supreme Court and former governor of Tamil Nadu state, died in her home state of Kerala on Thursday aged 96.

She was also the first Muslim woman judge appointed to any higher judiciary in India and the first woman to become a Supreme Court justice in an Asian country.

Her family sources said the burial will be held at Pathanamthitta Juma Masjid’s graveyard at noon on Friday.

“Her life is an inspirational story of hard work and determination, and her contributions reflect her profound social commitment,” Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan said. “Her contributions to public service will always be remembered,” Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi said in his condolence message.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan and several other leaders also condoled the family of Justice Beevi.

“Fathima Beevi had the unique willpower to overcome the negative factors of social situations without breaking down and seeing them as a challenge,” Vijayan said.

“As the governor of Tamil Nadu, her constitutional wisdom in judicial life manifested in all practical terms.”

The opposition floor leader in the Kerala legislature, VD Satheesan, remembered her as a brave woman who overcame life’s realities and crises with determination.

“Justice Beevi’s life is filled with energy for everyone to work hard for success in life, fighting adversities,” he said.

Born in Pandalam, Justice Beevi completed her schooling at the Catholicate High School in Pathanamthitta before graduating in science from University College, Trivandrum.

She obtained her law degree from the Government Law College in the city, enrolled as a lawyer in 1950, and became the first woman to receive a Bar Council gold medal.

She began her career in the lower judiciary the same year and soon entered the Kerala Subordinate Judicial Services.