Legacy and Death
Justice Seth passed away at the age of 86 after suffering from a cardio-respiratory attack on 5 May 2017. She is survived by her husband and children; She is said to have donated her eyes and other organs for transplant or medical research purposes, which reflects her noble thinking.
Her legacy lives on through the works she poured her heart into throughout her life. Along with shattering the glass ceiling in the Indian judiciary , she also made significant contributions in overhauling India’s Rape laws, that became decadent over the years, and needed to be changed. Justice Seth was a part of the three member Justice Verma Commission formed after the brutal 2012 Delhi gang rape case to look into an overhaul of rape laws in India. This may have been one of her most impactful contributions to the Indian judicial system. Justice Seth was a beacon of hope for so many women who wanted to pursue law; she was a ray of inspiration for many young women aspiring to pursue law, and her noble character and sense of justice only added more feathers to her hat.
First Woman Chief Justice of High Court in India
Justice Leila Seth was the first woman Chief Justice of a High Court; She became the Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court in 1991 and she was also the first woman judge of the Delhi High Court. Justice Leila Seth’s career trajectory has truly been one of the most iconic, which many have tried to emulate. She was truly the most powerful representation of determination and grace in the early 20th century for Indian women.
In this article, we will look into the details of the First Woman Chief Justice of the High Court – Leila Seth.
Let’s start.
First Woman Chief Justice of High Court in India