Historic First in India: Four Women Chief Justices to Lead High Courts Simultaneously The Indian judiciary is set to mark a historic milestone as four women will simultaneously serve as chief justices of high courts for the first time in the country’s legal history. This unprecedented development comes as the Supreme Court Collegium has approved the appointment of Justice Meenakshi M. Ray to the Patna High Court, replacing Justice Sanghamitra Kumar Sahu, who is set to retire on June 4. The move will result in four women holding the position of chief justice across four high courts at the same time, a rare occurrence in the nation’s legal system. Currently, Justice Sunitha Agarwal leads the Gujarat High Court, Justice Revti Mohite Deré presides over the Meghalaya High Court, and Justice Leesa Gill oversees the Andhra Pradesh High Court. The Supreme Court’s Collegium, led by Chief Justice Suryakant, has recommended Justice Ray for the Patna High Court, a position previously held by Justice Sahu. The Collegium’s approval was announced on May 22, 2026, paving the way for Justice Ray to assume her new role. This landmark decision underscores the growing representation of women in India’s judiciary, a sector historically dominated by men. While the exact timeline for the implementation of these appointments has not been specified, the simultaneous leadership of four women in high courts represents a significant step toward gender parity in the legal profession. The retirement of Justice Sahu on June 4 will officially trigger the transition, ensuring the new chief justice takes charge in the coming weeks. The appointment of Justice Ray to the Patna High Court is particularly notable, as it marks her first major judicial assignment at the high court level.#india #patna_high_court #meenakshi_m_ray #supreme_court_collegium #sunitha_agarwal
