Justice Hima Kohli, born on 2 September 1959, is a distinguished judge of the Supreme Court of India. Her illustrious career is marked by significant achievements, including serving as the Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court, where she made history as the first woman to hold this esteemed position.
| Aspect | Details |
| Full Name | Hima Kohli |
| Date of Birth | 2 September 1959 |
| Place of Birth | New Delhi |
| Education | – Bachelor of Arts in History from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University (1979) |
| – Postgraduate degree in History from the University of Delhi | |
| – Degree in Law from the Campus Law Centre, University of Delhi | |
| Career | – Enrolled with the Bar Council of Delhi in 1984 |
| – Legal counsel for New Delhi Municipal Council (1999-2004) | |
| – Represented the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi | |
| – Legal advisor to various Delhi and central government bodies | |
| – Appointed as an additional judge on the Delhi High Court (29 May 2006) | |
| – Permanent judge on the Delhi High Court (29 August 2007) | |
| – Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court (2021) | |
| – Elevated as a judge of the Supreme Court of India (26 August 2021) | |
| Contributions | – Notable orders and judgments on various legal matters during her tenure on the Delhi High Court |
| – Headed a judicial committee monitoring Delhi Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic (2020) | |
| Awards/Honors | – Chairperson of the Delhi State Legal Services Authority (from 20 May 2020) |
| Elevation to Supreme Court | – Elevated as a judge of Supreme Court of India (26 August 2021) |
Early Life and Education
Born in New Delhi, Justice Hima Kohli embarked on her educational journey at St. Thomas’ School. In 1979, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi. Continuing her academic pursuits, she obtained a postgraduate degree in history from the University of Delhi, followed by a degree in law from the Campus Law Centre, University of Delhi.
Legal Career
Enrolling with the Bar Council of Delhi in 1984, Justice Kohli commenced her legal practice in Delhi. Her commitment to the legal profession is evident in her roles as counsel for the New Delhi Municipal Council and as a representative for the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Additionally, she served as a legal advisor to various governmental bodies, including the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India, and the National Cooperative Development Corporation. Notably, she contributed to legal aid services through the Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee.
On 29 May 2006, Justice Kohli’s judicial journey began as she was appointed an additional judge on the Delhi High Court, with her appointment becoming permanent on 29 August 2007. Her tenure on the Delhi High Court was marked by notable orders and judgments, showcasing her commitment to justice. These included inquiries into the detention of prisoners who had been granted bail, protecting the identity of juvenile crime suspects, and advocating for facilities to enable visually-challenged individuals to study in government educational institutions.
Contributions to Legal Education and Aid
Justice Kohli’s commitment extended to legal education and aid. She served on the general council of the West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences in Kolkata from 2017. Additionally, from 30 June 2020, she contributed to the National Law University, New Delhi, as a council member. Notably, she assumed the role of Chairperson of the Delhi State Legal Services Authority from 20 May 2020.
Chief Justice of Telangana High Court
In 2021, Justice Kohli added another milestone to her career by becoming the Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court. Her appointment was historic, marking the first time a woman held this position since the separation of the Telangana High Court from the Andhra Pradesh High Court in 2019.
Elevation to the Supreme Court
Justice Hima Kohli’s distinguished career reached its zenith when she was elevated as a judge of the Supreme Court of India on 26 August 2021. Taking the oath on 31 August 2021, she continues to contribute her legal expertise to the highest judicial institution in the country.