First woman judge of Supreme Court Fathima Bibi passed away

Justice Fatima Bibi
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On November 23rd, 2023, Fatima Bibi, widely recognized as Mrs. Meera Sahib Fatim Bibi and the inaugural female justice of the Supreme Court, passed away at the age of 96 at her residence in Kerala. Her demise was mourned by Kerala Chief Minister Pinrai Vijayan. Fatima Bibi, a beacon of a life liberated from religious constraints, forged a remarkable path. Following the completion of her advanced studies, she embarked on a career as a lawyer, earning acclaim for her exemplary judgments. Her historic appointment as the nation's first female judge in the Supreme Court solidified her legacy, ensuring an enduring impact.

In 1983, Fatima Bibi assumed the role of a judge in the Kerala High Court, later progressing to be appointed as a Supreme Court Judge in 1989. Her judicial service continued until her retirement in 1993. Following her tenure on the bench, she held the position of Governor in Tamil Nadu for an extended period. Notably, the Supreme Court, inaugurated on January 26, 1950, has witnessed a scarcity of women judges throughout its 71-years history. Mrs. Fatima Bibi, appointed in 1989, marked the inception of this trend, with only eight women judges appointed to the Supreme Court in that span.

Mrs. Fatima Bibi was Born on April 30, 1927, in Kerala and received early encouragement from her father to pursue a legal education. In 1950, she achieved the distinction of topping the Bar Council examination, securing the Bar Council Gold Medal and becoming the first woman to do so. Commencing her career as a lawyer in Kerala, she steadily advanced through the legal ranks, eventually attaining the position of District and Sessions Judge in 1974. Subsequently, in 1980, she joined the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, and three years later, in 1983, she was appointed as a judge of the High Court.

In 1989, she etched her name in history as the first woman to be appointed to the Supreme Court, a role she occupied until her retirement on April 29, 1992. Following her judicial career, she transitioned to serve as a member of the inaugural National Human Rights Commission. Later, she assumed the role of the Governor of Tamil Nadu. However, she resigned from the position after rejecting the mercy plea filed by four convicts involved in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.


Key point :


  • Fatima bibi was the first woman judge of Supreme Court of India.

  • She was the first Muslim woman to be appointed to any of the highest judiciary in the country.
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  • She served as a member of National Human Rights Commission and later as the governor of TamilNadu from 1997 to 2001 .

  • Received honorable D. Litt and mahila Shiromani award in 1990.


According to the information of former Honorable Chief Justice of India provided by the Supreme Court of India:

Ms. Justice M. Fathima Beevi, Born on 30.4.1927 in Pathanamthitta (Kerala); Father: Mr. Meera Sahib; Family: Single, living with Mother Khadeeja Bibi. Schooling from Catholicate High School, Pathanamthitta, B.Sc. (University College, Trivandrum), B.L. (Law College, Trivandrum); Enrolled as Advocate on 14.11.1950, Appointed as Munsiff in the Kerala Sub-ordinate Judicial Services in May, 1958, Promoted as the Sub-ordinate Judge in 1968, Promoted as the Chief Judicial Magistrate in 1972, Promoted District & Sessions Judge in 1974, Appointed as the Judicial Member of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal in January, 1980, Elevated to the High Court as a Judge on 4.8.1983, Became permanent Judge of the High Court on 14.3.1984.Retired as the Judge of the High Court on 29.4.1989. Elevated to the Supreme Court as a Judge on 6.10.1989. Retired on 29.4.1992. Present Address :8/387, Annaveedu, Petta, Pathanamthitta - 689 645 (Kerala), Residential Tel. No.: 2222151.