Personal Profile

Born on 6th February, 1957, did schooling and graduation in English (Special) at Karad, Dist. Satara. Studied Law at ILS Law College, Pune. Did Masters in Law from University of Pune. Was awarded Ph.D. in Law in the subject of “Child Sexual Abuse – From Socio Legal Perspective” by Pune University in 2004. At present on the panel of Examiners for Ph.D. in Law at Mumbai University.

Enrolled as an Advocate on 6th November, 1980 and practiced on both Civil and Criminal Side in the Court at Karad. Has the distinction of being the first lady Advocate and then the first lady Judge from Karad. Was conferred with “Sphurti Puraskar” by Kanya Shala, Karad and the award of “Karad Bhushan”.

Work Profile

Joined Judiciary in the cadre of Civil Judge, Junior Division and Judicial Magistrate, First Class in the year 1988 and worked at Pune, Nanded and Thane. During that period, also holding additional charge of Principal Magistrate of Juvenile Justice Board at Thane for three years.

Promoted directly to the post of Additional District Judge in June, 1997.

Worked as Special Court for TADA cases and for offences of atrocities against women at Pune, Nashik and Ahmednagar.

Had experience of working as “Judge, Family Court, Pune” for two years.

Was Joint Director of Maharashtra Judicial Academy since its inception in 2009 for four years and nurtured the Academy; trained more than 450 Judicial Officers, who were newly inducted in the Judiciary. Also conducted several in-service Training Programmes, Seminars, Workshops, Judicial Colloquia and National and Regional Conferences, covering almost all the Judicial Officers in the State Judiciary.

Had opportunity to work as Principal Judge, City Civil and Sessions Court, Greater Bombay from 24th June, 2013 to 21st April, 2014.

Assumed Office of the Registrar General of Bombay High Court since 21st April, 2014 till elevation.

Elevated as an ‘Additional Judge’ of the Bombay High Court on 1st January, 2015 and ‘Permanent Judge’ on 17th November 2016.

Notable Cases

During this Judicial tenure, conducted more than thousands of cases on Civil and Criminal side, notable amongst them –

KOTHEWADI multiple gang-rape and decoity case in Ahmednagar District. The conviction and sentence passed therein was confirmed by the High Court and Supreme Court.

The rape and decoity case involving Spanish Lady in Mumbai, wherein evidence of the victim was recorded on video conferencing while she was produced in German Consulate at Berlin.

The case of sexual abuse of several minor children in Ashram Shala at Shahapur, Thane.

Two Shakti Mill rape cases in Mumbai, which were decided within the record time of seven months from the date of incidence. For the first time, interpreted Amended Section 376(e) of the IPC.

Special Achievements

Was selected by Bombay High Court and Supreme Court as a Representative Judicial Officer from Maharashtra for six weeks training at England on the subject of “Gender and Law” in 1999 and deputed thereafter to impart training to various Judicial Officers in Maharashtra and all over India – Shimla, Bangalore, Chennai, Goa, Bhopal etc.

Conducted pilot training project on “Gender and Law” and “Juvenile Justice” at National Judicial Academy, Bhopal.

Acted as Guest Faculty and Resource Person in Training Programmes for Public Prosecutors, Members of Bar, Police Officers, Prison Officers, Probationary Officers, Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa on subjects as, Gender and Law, Human Rights, Domestic Violence, Sex Selection and PCPNDT Act etc.

Nominated by Bombay High Court for three weeks Judicial Education Training Programme conducted at Commonwealth Judicial Education Institute in Canada.

Publications and Books

Published Articles relating to legal subjects in Criminal Law Journal, Symbiosis Law Times and other Law Journals.

Authored publication of Training Module and Hand Book on “Human Trafficking” in collaboration with UNDP and Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India and released at the hands of the Hon’ble the Chief Justice of India in 2012 in International Conference.

Authored Training Module and Hand Book on “Sex Selection and PCPNDT Act” released at the hands of Hon’ble the Chief Justice of Bombay High Court.

Authored book on “Case Law Analysis under PCPNDT Act” in collaboration with UNFPA and Maharashtra Judicial Academy.