Fathima Beevi, Judge
Judge

Fathima Beevi

Born 30 April 1927 · Kerala — Died 23 November 2023

First female judge appointed to the Supreme Court of India in 1989.

M. Fathima Beevi was an Indian judge who was a justice of the Supreme Court of India. Appointed to the apex Court in 1989, she became the first female judge of the Supreme Court of India, and the first Muslim woman to be appointed to any of the higher judiciaries in the country. On her retirement from the court, she served as a member of the National Human Rights Commission and later as the Governor of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu from 1997 to 2001.

✨

A detail that
surprised us

“

Fathima Beevi was one of only five women in her law class and wore a headscarf in court, standing out in the predominantly male judiciary of 1950s Kerala.

The Story

1
🎓 In 1950, M. Fathima Beevi topped the Bar Council exam and enrolled as an advocate on November 14, starting her legal career in the male-dominated lower courts of Kollam, Kerala.
2
By May 1958, she became a Munsiff in Kerala Sub-ordinate Judicial Services, marking her entry into the judiciary at a time when female judges were exceedingly rare in India.
3In 1980, she advanced to become the Judicial Member of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, a critical role bridging law and finance.
4⚖️ On August 4, 1983, she was appointed as a judge of the Kerala High Court, becoming the first Muslim woman to join a higher judiciary in India.

🏅 Awards & Honours

2024
Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

In 1950, Fathima Beevi became the first woman in Kerala to earn a law degree, topping the Bar Council exam and receiving the Bar Council Gold Medal that year.

📸 Through the Years

📷

No photos yet

Help preserve history — add a photo of this icon

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Born in Pathanamthitta, Kerala
M. Fathima Beevi was born in the Kingdom of Travancore, present-day Kerala, to Annaveettil Meer Sahib and Khadeeja Beevi.
1927
⚡
Career
Enrolled as Advocate
Topped Bar Council exam and enrolled as an advocate, starting practice in Kollam lower courts.
1950
⚡
Career
Appointed Munsiff in Kerala Judiciary
Entered Kerala Sub-ordinate Judicial Services as Munsiff, a junior judge position.
1958
⚡
Career
Became Kerala High Court Judge
Elevated to Kerala High Court as a judge, marking first Muslim woman in higher judiciary.
1983
⚡
Career
Appointed Supreme Court Judge
Became the first female judge of the Supreme Court of India.
1989
⚡
Career
Became Governor of Tamil Nadu
Assumed office as Governor, serving until 2001 and involved in notable decisions on mercy petitions.
1997
🏅
Award
Received Kerala Prabha Award
Honored with the second-highest civilian award by the Government of Kerala.
2023
🕊️
Death
Passed Away in Kerala
Died at age 96 in Kollam, Kerala, closing a historic chapter in Indian judiciary.
2023
More moments to come...
+ Add a moment

🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 04
👤PERSONAL

Despite her groundbreaking role, she faced skepticism and censure in courtrooms as the only woman wearing a headscarf practicing law in 1950s Kerala.

02 / 04
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

Her appointment to the Supreme Court in 1989 was influenced by the Rajiv Gandhi government’s political context surrounding the Shah Bano case and caste-religion dynamics.

03 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

As Governor of Tamil Nadu, she rejected mercy petitions filed by four condemned prisoners in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, exercising a rarely invoked constitutional power.

No quote recorded for Fathima Beevi yet.

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Fathima Beewi : First Indian Woman Judge of Supreme Court
·YouTube
More from this archive
Fathima Beewi : First Indian Woman Judge of Supreme Court
01
Fathima Beewi : First Indian Woman Judge of Supreme Court
YouTube
Episode 33. 75 Legendary women of India - M Fathima Beevi
02
Episode 33. 75 Legendary women of India - M Fathima Beevi
YouTube
സുപ്രീംകോടതിയിലെ ആദ്യ വനിതാ ജഡ്ജി ; ജസ്റ്റിസ് Fathima Beeviയെകുറിച്ചുള്ള Documentary പ്രദർശനം നടന്നു
03
സുപ്രീംകോടതിയിലെ ആദ്യ വനിതാ ജഡ്ജി ; ജസ്റ്റിസ് Fathima Beeviയെകുറിച്ചുള്ള Documentary പ്രദർശനം നടന്നു
YouTube
Justice Fathima Beevi, the first Woman Judge of #The Supreme Court of India, #Kerala
04
Justice Fathima Beevi, the first Woman Judge of #The Supreme Court of India, #Kerala
YouTube
India first woman supreme court justice. Fathima beevi..
05
India first woman supreme court justice. Fathima beevi..
YouTube
முதல் பெண் நீதிபதி - தமிழ்நாடு ஆளுநர் - யார் இந்த பாத்திமா பீவி? | Fathima Beevi | PTD
06
முதல் பெண் நீதிபதி - தமிழ்நாடு ஆளுநர் - யார் இந்த பாத்திமா பீவி? | Fathima Beevi | PTD
YouTube
Supreme Court की First Female Judge कौन थीं, कैसे पाया था ये मुकाम | Fatima Beevi | वनइंडिया प्लस
07
Supreme Court की First Female Judge कौन थीं, कैसे पाया था ये मुकाम | Fatima Beevi | वनइंडिया प्लस
YouTube

🌱 What changed because of them

Fathima Beevi’s appointment to the Supreme Court opened the door for women and minority communities in India’s higher judiciary, challenging longstanding gender and religious barriers. Her service as Governor of Tamil Nadu demonstrated the evolving role of women in constitutional offices, influencing future appointments of women in governance. Her career also spotlighted debates on secularism, gender, and judicial independence in India during politically turbulent times.

💬 Social Buzz

💬

What are people saying about Fathima Beevi?

Share posts from historians, journalists and notable voices about this icon. 🇮🇳

💭 Memories & Tributes

Share your memory of Fathima Beevi...
Loading memories...
Is this profile accurate?