Gorla Rohini is Delhi HC's first woman chief justice

The Delhi High Court got its first woman chief justice in Justice Gorla Rohini, who was on Monday administered the oath of office by Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung.

Chief Justice Rohini (58), a former judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, will head a court that already has nine woman judges. The total strength of judges in the high court is 40.

Soon after the oath-taking ceremony, Jung said the appointment of a woman chief justice was a virtual milestone for the capital’s highest court. “Her (Chief Justice Rohini) appointment symbolises women’s empowerment,” he told reporters.

“We need many more role models like her who can inspire young girls across the country to aspire for top positions in all walks of life,” Jung said, according to a statement issued by Raj Niwas.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by senior members of the judiciary, the chief secretary and other senior officers of the Delhi government.

Chief Justice Rohini hails from Visakhapatnam and studied at the Osmania University in Hyderabad before joining College of Law, Andhra University, in her hometown.

She practised as a lawyer after enrolling with the bar in 1980. Fifteen years later, she was appointed government advocate in the high court. She became additional judge in 2001 and was made a permanent judge in 2002. Chief Justice Rohini succeeded Justice N V Ramana, who got elevated to the Supreme Court earlier this year.