Lekshmana Gowri Takes Oath As Madras HC Judge As SC Dismisses Petition Against Her Elevation

Amid a series of opposition, lawyer Lakshmana Chandra Victoria Gowri?sworn in as a Madras High Court judge on Tuesday morning.?

"We are not entertaining the writ petitions. Reasons will follow," Justice Sanjiv Khanna said.

When the hearing started, he stated that?there was a difference between eligibility and suitability.

"On eligibility, there could be a challenge. But suitability... The courts should not get into suitability, otherwise the whole process will become haywire," Justice Khanna observed.

The elevation of Gowri has been challenged in the Supreme Court and a bench of?Justices Sanjiv Khanna and MM Sundresh is set to hear the matter.?Notably, the petition challenging her appointment has been listed for a hearing on Tuesday itself.

On Monday, a bench headed by CJI DY Chandrachud posted the matter for hearing on Februrary 10. However, the apex court agreed to?hear the case tomorrow after senior advocate Raju Ramachandran mentioned the matter?again for urgent listing in view of the latest development.

Gowri's elevation has been challenged by a group of 21 lawyers from the Madras High Court who wrote a letter to President Draupadi?Murmu urging her to return the file by the Supreme Court Collegium and alleged Gowri to be an active BJP functionary.?

They cited instances where Gowri made hateful remarks against the minority communities and expressed their apprehension over her regressive views and religious bigotry.?

“The Collegium’s recommendation to appoint a person who makes no bones about her hatred towards the minority communities will definitely dent the public perception of the impartiality of the judiciary. In the context of Ms Gowri's utterances, can any litigant belonging to the Muslim or Christian community ever hope to get justice in her court, if she becomes a Judge?” asked the lawyers, according to a report by India Today.?

CJI said that Supreme Court Collegium has taken cognizance of the complaints about Victoria Gowri, which were received after her name was recommended for appointment as a judge of the Madras High Court.

“We have seen the plea and we have read it. There are certain developments that have taken place. Collegium has taken cognizance of what came to our notice and it was after our recommendation,” said the CJI.