Republic Day: 6 Iconic Women Judges Who Delivered Landmark Verdicts

By: WE Staff

Justice Sujata Vasant Manohar: Propagator of Vishakha Guidelines

Renowned Indian jurist Justice Sujata Vasant Manohar has had a major impact on the legal system in the nation. She was appointed as a judge of the Bombay High Court in 1988 as a recognition of her dedication and legal knowledge. Justice Sujata, when appointed to the Supreme Court of India in 1994, demonstrated commitment to justice and constitutional principles, contributing to landmark judgments and earning respect within the legal community. After retiring from the Supreme Court in 1999, Justice Sujata Manohar was a member of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). In India, the NHRC is a statutory body responsible for advancing and defending human rights.

Landmark Verdicts:

Justice Sujata Manohar has been part of several significant verdicts during her tenure. One of the most notable ones is her involvement in laying down the Vishakha guidelines, which are considered a landmark in Indian law for preventing sexual harassment in the workplace.

In another significant case, affirmative action in education was an issue. The government was planning on setting quotas on admission to research degrees, which would have meant that students would be assigned to available spots according to their caste and religion rather than just their academic merit. This was declared unconstitutional by Justice Sujata, even though some interest groups strongly objected. The case had significant implications on the interpretation of affirmative action policies and the rights of individuals to education.