Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai Recommended as Chief Justice of Patna High Court

Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai, a distinguished judge from Sikkim High Court, has been recommended by the Supreme Court collegium to become the next Chief Justice of the Patna High Court. Her appointment follows the retirement of the incumbent.

Rai, Sikkim's first woman High Court judge, brings extensive judicial and administrative experience to this new role.

Meenakshi M Rai, a judge of the Sikkim High Court, has been recommended by the Supreme Court collegium as the next Chief Justice of the Patna High Court. "The Supreme Court collegium, in its meeting held on May 22, has recommended appointment of Justice Meenakshi M Rai, judge, High Court of Sikkim, as Chief Justice, High Court of Judicature at Patna, consequent upon retirement of incumbent Chief Justice on June 4, 2026," the statement said.

Who is Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai?

Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai is one of the most prominent judicial figures from Sikkim and has served multiple times as the Acting Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court. Known for her long judicial career and administrative experience, she became the first woman from Sikkim to be elevated as a Judge of the High Court.

Over the years, she has played an important role in the state’s judiciary and has handled several significant constitutional and administrative matters. Her journey from a law student in Delhi to one of Sikkim’s senior-most judges is often seen as an inspiring example for young lawyers and women in the legal profession.

Early Life and Education

Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai was born on July 12, 1964, in Gangtok. She is the daughter of Late Madan Mohan Rasaily, who served as the former Home Secretary of the Government of Sikkim, and Rabi Mala Rasaily, a former teacher.

She completed her early schooling at Tathangchen School in Gangtok before studying at Dowhill School in Kurseong, West Bengal. Later, she joined Tashi Namgyal Academy, where she completed Class XII in 1983.

For higher studies, she moved to Delhi and pursued Political Science (Honours) from Lady Shri Ram College on a merit scholarship provided by the Government of Sikkim. She later earned her LLB degree from the Campus Law Centre of University of Delhi in 1989.

Beginning of Legal Career

Justice Rai enrolled with the Bar Association of Delhi in 1990 and initially practised in the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court of India under an Advocate-on-Record.

In the same year, she joined the Sikkim Judicial Service. Starting as a Judicial Magistrate First Class-cum-Civil Judge in Gangtok, she gradually rose through different positions within the judiciary.

Rise in the Judiciary

During her judicial career, Justice Rai served in several important administrative and judicial roles. She also served twice as the Registrar General of the Sikkim High Court, in 2006 and 2009.

On April 15, 2015, she was elevated as a Judge of the Sikkim High Court, becoming the first woman from Sikkim to hold the position. She later served as Acting Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court on multiple occasions, including in 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2025.

Acting Chief Justice of Sikkim High Court

Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai has repeatedly been entrusted with the responsibility of leading the Sikkim High Court during transitional periods. In December 2025, she was again appointed Acting Chief Justice following the retirement of Chief Justice Biswanath Somadder. Her appointments reflected her seniority and long-standing experience within the Sikkim judiciary system.

Judicial Approach and Public Attention

Over the years, Justice Rai has been associated with several important legal and constitutional matters in Sikkim. Some of her judgments and administrative decisions have also generated public discussion and debate, particularly on issues linked to Sikkim’s special constitutional protections under Article 371F.

Legal observers often describe her as a judge with deep familiarity with Sikkim’s unique legal framework and social structure.

Legacy and Significance

As one of the senior-most judges from Sikkim, Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai holds a significant place in the state’s judicial history. Her elevation as the first woman High Court judge from Sikkim marked an important milestone for women in the legal profession in the region.

Her career, spanning more than three decades, reflects a steady rise through the judicial system — from practising law in Delhi courts to leading the Sikkim High Court as Acting Chief Justice on multiple occasions.