Meenakshi Madan Rai
Hon'ble Chief Justice (Retd.) Meenakshi Madan Rai | |
|---|---|
| 48th Chief Justice of Patna High Court | |
| In office 5 June 2026 – 11 July 2026 | |
| Nominated by | Surya Kant |
| Appointed by | Droupadi Murmu |
| Preceded by | Sangam Kumar Sahoo |
| Succeeded by |
|
| Judge of Sikkim High Court | |
| In office 15 April 2015 – 4 June 2026 | |
| Nominated by | H. L. Dattu |
| Appointed by | Pranab Mukherjee |
| In office 15 December 2025 – 3 January 2026 | |
| Appointed by | Droupadi Murmu |
| Preceded by | Biswanath Somadder |
| Succeeded by | A. Muhamed Mustaque |
| In office 1 September 2021 – 11 October 2021 | |
| Appointed by | Ramnath Kovind |
| Preceded by | J. K. Maheshwari |
| Succeeded by | Biswanath Somadder |
| In office 17 September 2019 – 14 October 2019 | |
| Appointed by | Ramnath Kovind |
| Preceded by | V. K. Bist |
| Succeeded by | Arup Kumar Goswami |
| In office 1 July 2018 – 29 October 2018 | |
| Appointed by | Ramnath Kovind |
| Preceded by | S. K. Agnihotri |
| Succeeded by | V. K. Bist |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 12 July 1964 |
| Education | LL.B |
| Alma mater | Lady Shri Ram College, University of Delhi |
Meenakshi Madan Rai (born 12 July 1964) is a retired Indian jurist who had served as the 48th chief justice of Patna High Court.[1] She is a former judge of the Sikkim High Court.[2] She has also served as Acting Chief Justice of that High Court various times.[3][4]
Early life and education
Justice Rai was born 12 July 1964 to Madan Mohan Rasaily and Rabi Mala Rasaily, Former Home Secretary to Government of Sikkim and former school teacher respectively. She completed her schooling in Sikkim and graduated from Lady Shri Ram College in Delhi and earned her Law degree from Campus Law Centre, Delhi University and enrolled as advocate with Bar Association of Delhi in 1990.
Career
She joined Sikkim Judicial Services in 1990 and rose through the ranks to eventually become Registrar General of Sikkim High Court twice in 2006 and 2009 respectively.[2] She was elevated to the bench of Sikkim High Court on 15 April 2015 becoming the first lady from Sikkim to hold the post of High Court Judge.
In Sikkim High Court, she served as Acting Chief Justice in 2018,[5] 2019,[6] 2021,[7] and lastly in 2025.[8]
In last leg of her judicial career, her chances of being elevated as permanent chief justice were halted by the controversy,[9] which arose due to her administrative directions in capacity of acting chief justice targeting her predecessor Biswanath Somadder[10] nevertheless, on 22 May 2026, the Supreme Court Collegium recommended the appointment of Justice Rai as the next chief justice of Patna High Court after retirement of the Chief Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo on 4 June 2026.[11] Central government cleared her elevation on 2 June 2026.[12]
References
- ↑ Bench, Bar & (2 June 2026). "Centre notifies appointment of Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai as Patna High Court Chief Justice". Bar and Bench - Indian Legal news. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
- 1 2 "HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT SIKKIM | High Court of Sikkim". hcs.gov.in. Archived from the original on 14 November 2025. Retrieved 4 January 2026.
- ↑ Iyer, Aishwarya (16 July 2020). "Acting Chief Justices appointed for Uttarakhand, Sikkim High Courts [Read Notifications]". Bar and Bench - Indian Legal news. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
- ↑ AK, Aditya (29 June 2018). "Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai appointed ACJ of Sikkim High Court". Bar & Bench. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
- ↑ AK, Aditya (29 June 2018). "Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai appointed ACJ of Sikkim High Court". Bar & Bench. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
- ↑ Bench, Bar & (14 September 2019). "Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai appointed Acting Chief Justice of Sikkim High Court [Read Notification]". Bar and Bench - Indian Legal news. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
- ↑ Bench, Bar & (28 August 2021). "Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai appointed Acting Chief Justice of Sikkim High Court". Bar and Bench - Indian Legal news. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
- ↑ Connect, Psu (13 December 2025). "Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai Appointed Acting Chief Justice of Sikkim High Court". www.psuconnect.in. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
- ↑ "Sikkim HC row derails senior judge's elevation as chief justice". Hindustan Times. 19 December 2025. Retrieved 4 January 2026.
- ↑ "Registrar's complaint, Sikkim ex-CJ letter unravelled HC crisis". Hindustan Times. 21 December 2025. Retrieved 4 January 2026.
- ↑ "Supreme Court Collegium recommends appointment of Justice Meenakshi M Rai as Chief Justice of Patna High Court". 22 May 2026.
- ↑ NETWORK, LIVELAW NEWS (2 June 2026). "Centre Notifies Appointment Of Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai As Chief Justice Of Patna High Court". www.livelaw.in. Retrieved 2 June 2026.