Justice R. Banumathi, born on 20 July 1955, is a distinguished former judge of the Supreme Court of India, hailing from Tamil Nadu. As the sixth woman to ascend to the prestigious position of a Supreme Court judge, her legal career has been marked by notable contributions to the judiciary.
| Aspect | Details |
| Full Name | R. Banumathi |
| Date of Birth | 20 July 1955 |
| Place of Birth | Tamil Nadu, India |
| Career | – Joined Tamil Nadu Higher Judicial Service in 1988 as a direct recruit district judge |
| – Served as a sessions judge and headed a one-person commission on police excess (1995–96) | |
| – Appointed as a permanent judge of the Madras High Court in April 2003 | |
| – Elevated to the Supreme Court of India in August 2014 | |
| – Retired from the Supreme Court of India | |
| Notable Contributions | – Headed the commission on police excess in Chinnampathy, Coimbatore district (1995–96) |
| – Served as a judge of the Madras High Court | |
| Personal Details | – Born in Tamil Nadu, India |
| Retirement Date | Retired from the Supreme Court of India |
Early Life and Education
Justice Banumathi, with roots in Tamil Nadu, embarked on her educational journey, completing her legal studies and earning a place in the Tamil Nadu Higher Judicial Service in 1988. This marked the beginning of her dedicated service to the judiciary.
Career in Tamil Nadu Higher Judicial Service
Banumathi’s career in the Tamil Nadu Higher Judicial Service commenced in 1988, where she served as a direct recruit district judge. Notably, as a sessions judge, she took charge of a one-person commission to investigate police excess by the Special Task Force in Chinnampathy, Coimbatore district, demonstrating her commitment to justice.
Madras High Court
In April 2003, Justice Banumathi’s career reached new heights as she was elevated to the position of a judge in the Madras High Court. During her tenure, she presided over significant cases, including the matter related to the banning of Jallikattu, a traditional bull-hugging sport.
Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court
In November 2013, Justice Banumathi’s judicial journey took her to the Jharkhand High Court, where she assumed the role of Chief Justice. Her leadership and judicial acumen shone during her tenure in this capacity.Supreme Court of India:
August 2014 witnessed a historic moment as Justice R. Banumathi was elevated to the Supreme Court of India, following her recommendation by the collegium led by then Chief Justice R M Lodha. This made her only the second woman sessions judge to rise to the country’s highest court, adding another milestone to her remarkable career.
Contributions and Recognitions
Throughout her career, Justice Banumathi actively contributed to the judiciary, displaying a commitment to upholding justice and the rule of law. Her noteworthy judgments and leadership in various high courts and ultimately in the Supreme Court have left a lasting impact on the Indian legal landscape.
Post-Supreme Court Roles
After her tenure in the Supreme Court, Justice Banumathi continued to contribute to the legal domain. She served as the Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court and was appointed as the chancellor of Maharashtra National Law University, Aurangabad.
