Who is Justice R. Banumathi? 

• Justice R. Banumathi was born on 20th July 1955 in Tamil Nadu. She was the sixth woman to be a judge of Supreme Court of India. 

How was the Career Journey of Justice R. Banumathi? 

• Justice Banumathi enrolled as an advocate in 1981. 
• She practiced on Civil and Criminal sides in Tirupattur and District Court, Krishnagiri, Harur and moffusil courts.    
• She entered the judicial service as a direct recruit ‘District Judge’ and worked as District and Sessions Judge in Coimbatore, Vellore and Principal District and Sessions Judge, Pudukottai, Madras, Tirunelveli and Salem. 
• She was elevated as the Judge of Madras High Court on 3rd April 2003 and was the Chairman of Tamil Nadu State Legal Services Committee. She was actively involved in organizing Lok Adalats. 
• She was appointed as the Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court on 16th November 2013. 
• She was elevated as the judge of Supreme Court on 13th August 2014. 
• She has become the second woman after Justice Ruma Pal to be a part of Supreme Court collegium in last thirteen years. 
• She is the author of the book “Hand Book of Civil and Criminal Courts Management and use of Computers” which acts as a guide book for judicial officers and staff members. 

What are the Notable Judgments of Justice R. Bhanumathi? 

• Mukesh v. State (NCT of Delhi) (2020) 
  • This judgment is popularly known as “Nirbhaya judgment”. 
  • Justice Bhanumathi in this case rendered a concurring opinion. 
  • It was held that the actions of the accused fall under the category of rarest of rare case. 
  • Hence, death penalty was awarded to the accused.  
• Modern Dental College & Research Centre v. State of MP (2016) 
  • The Court held in this case that the regulation of private unaided institution does not necessarily violate Article 19 (1) (g) of the Constitution of India, 1950. 
  • Justice Banumathi in this case observed that providing education is the positive duty of the State and it is the obligation of the State to regulate private education in order to ensure quality education. 
  • The Act under challenge in this case provided for a common entrance exam, fixed fee and reservations. 
• Muniasmythevar v. Dy. Superintendent of Police (2006)  
  • The Court held in this case that all types of Jallikattu, bullock cart races and oxen races cause cruelty to animals must be banned. 
  • The Court directed the police to prevent cruelty against animals under the garb of entertainment and sports. 
• Bobbili Ramakrishna Raju Yadav & Ors v. State of Andhra Pradesh (2016)  
  • This case dealt with Section 6 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 (DPA). 
  • The Court held that if the articles of married woman are kept in the custody of the in laws they would be deemed to be trustees of the same and they are bound to return the same within three months after the date of marriage. 
  • If this does not happen it would amount to a dowry offence under this Section.