Republic Day: 6 Iconic Women Judges Who Delivered Landmark Verdicts

By: WE Staff

Justice Ruma Pal: State of Punjab v. Gurmit Singh

Former Indian Supreme Court judge Justice Ruma Pal is renowned for her distinguished legal career.

Justice Pal started her legal career as a Calcutta High Court professional after obtaining her law degree. She has propelled due to her proficiency in constitutional and business law, which earned her a position as a judge on the Calcutta High Court in 1990. As Justice Pal's legal career advanced, the Supreme Court of India appointed her as a judge in 2000.

Landmark Verdicts:

In 2005, Justice Ruma Pal passed a historic ruling in the State of Punjab v. Gurmit Singh case. According to the ruling, a rape victim's dying declaration can be used against the accused. A young girl was abducted and raped, and later died due to severe injuries. Her dying declaration was used as evidence against the accused. The defense argued it wasn't admissible, but the Supreme Court ruled it can be used as reliable evidence. Because it clarified the law regarding the admissibility of dying declarations as evidence in rape cases, this judgment was important. It guaranteed that sexual assault victims could pursue legal action even in the absence of additional proof to support their allegations.