Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai sworn in as Patna High Court Chief Justice
Synopsis
Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai — the first woman from Sikkim ever elevated to a judgeship — has now been sworn in as Chief Justice of the Patna High Court, one of India's larger benches. Her appointment, cleared by the Centre on the Collegium's recommendation, marks a significant step in the still-slow diversification of leadership at India's High Courts.
Key Takeaways
Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai was sworn in as Chief Justice of the Patna High Court on 6 June 2025 at Bihar Lok Bhavan, Patna.
Bihar Governor Syed Ata Hasnain administered the oath of office at the ceremony.
The Centre cleared her appointment on the recommendation of the Supreme Court Collegium , which met on 22 May 2025 under CJI Surya Kant .
Justice Rai was elevated from the Sikkim High Court , where she had served as judge since 15 April 2015 — becoming the first woman from Sikkim to hold that post.
She succeeds Chief Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo , who retired on 4 June 2025 .
Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Patna High Court on 6 June 2025, succeeding Chief Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo, who retired on 4 June. Bihar Governor Syed Ata Hasnain administered the oath of office at a ceremony held at Bihar Lok Bhavan in Patna, attended by sitting judges of the Patna High Court and senior dignitaries.
Appointment and Collegium Recommendation
The Centre had cleared Justice Rai's appointment earlier in the week, acting on the recommendation of the Supreme Court Collegium — headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant — made at its meeting on 22 May 2025. The recommendation followed the impending retirement of the incumbent Chief Justice Sahoo.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal formally announced the appointment in a post on X, citing the constitutional exercise of presidential powers in consultation with the Chief Justice of India. Justice Rai was elevated from her position as a judge of the Sikkim High Court, where she had served since 15 April 2015.
A Historic Profile
Born on 12 July 1964, Justice Rai completed her schooling in Gangtok and Kurseong before earning a Political Science (Honours) degree from Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University, on a merit scholarship from the Government of Sikkim. She subsequently obtained her LL.B. from the Campus Law Centre, Delhi University, in 1989, and enrolled with the Bar Association of Delhi in 1990.
Prior to her elevation to the bench, she practised before the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court as an Advocate-on-Record. Her appointment to the Sikkim High Court in 2015 made her the first woman from Sikkim to be elevated as a judge — a landmark in the state's judicial history.
Her Record on the Bench
During her tenure at the Sikkim High Court, Justice Rai served as Acting Chief Justice on multiple occasions and held the position of Executive Chairperson of the Sikkim State Legal Services Authority. This breadth of administrative and judicial experience informed the Collegium's recommendation for her appointment to one of India's larger High Courts.
What This Means for Patna High Court
The Patna High Court, which exercises jurisdiction over the entire state of Bihar, handles a substantial docket spanning criminal, civil, and constitutional matters. Justice Rai's appointment brings fresh leadership at a time when the court, like many across India, faces significant case-load pressures. Notably, her elevation also adds to the still-limited representation of women at the helm of India's High Courts — a pattern that judicial reform advocates have long flagged.
Point of View
And now leads one of the country's more consequential benches. Yet the broader picture remains sobering: women Chief Justices are still the exception rather than the norm across India's 25 High Courts. The Collegium's recommendation is a step forward, but the pace of diversification at the top of the judiciary remains far slower than the bar or civil society would consider adequate. Whether her tenure at Patna translates into structural reforms in case management or legal aid delivery — areas where she has prior administrative depth — will be the real measure of this appointment.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the new Chief Justice of the Patna High Court?
Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai is the new Chief Justice of the Patna High Court, sworn in on 6 June 2025. She was previously a judge of the Sikkim High Court and is the first woman from Sikkim to have been elevated to a High Court judgeship.
Who administered the oath to Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai?
Bihar Governor Syed Ata Hasnain administered the oath of office to Justice Rai at a ceremony held at Bihar Lok Bhavan in Patna, attended by judges and senior dignitaries.
How was Justice Rai appointed as Chief Justice of Patna High Court?
The Supreme Court Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, recommended her appointment at its meeting on 22 May 2025. The Centre subsequently cleared the appointment, and Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal announced it formally.
Who did Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai succeed at Patna High Court?
She succeeds Chief Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo, who retired on 4 June 2025. Justice Rai took charge the following day.
What is Justice Rai's professional background?
Justice Rai obtained her LL.B. from Campus Law Centre, Delhi University, in 1989, and enrolled with the Bar Association of Delhi in 1990. She practised before the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court before being appointed to the Sikkim High Court on 15 April 2015, where she also served as Acting Chief Justice on multiple occasions.
