The Central government has officially announced the appointment of Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai from the Sikkim High Court as the new Chief Justice of the Patna High Court. This development, communicated by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal via social media platform X, marks a significant judicial appointment.
Official Appointment Notification
The appointment is carried out under the powers vested in the Constitution of India, following consultation with the Chief Justice of India. Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai’s new role is confirmed through a notification by the President of India. Arjun Ram Meghwal expressed his satisfaction with the appointment through a tweet on June 2, 2026, stating, “In exercise of the power conferred by the Constitution of India and in consultation with the Chief Justice of India, the President is pleased to appoint Smt. Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai, Judge of the Sikkim High Court as Chief Justice of the Patna High Court.”
Supreme Court Collegium’s Recommendation
The decision to appoint Justice Rai follows a recommendation from the Supreme Court Collegium during its meeting on May 22. Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo, the current Chief Justice of the Patna High Court, will be succeeded by Justice Rai upon his retirement on June 4.
Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai’s Distinguished Career
Born on July 12, 1964, Justice Rai’s academic journey began in Gangtok and Kurseong. She earned a degree in Political Science (Honours) from Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi, and completed her law degree at Delhi University’s Campus Law Centre in 1989. She was admitted to the Bar Council of Delhi in 1990 and practiced at both the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court of India.
Her judicial career commenced in December 1990 when she joined the Sikkim Judicial Service as a Judicial Magistrate First Class-cum-Civil Judge, becoming the first woman from Sikkim to be appointed to this position. Throughout her career, she has held various roles, including Chief Judicial Magistrate, District and Sessions Judge, Registrar General of the Sikkim High Court, and Principal District and Sessions Judge.
Justice Rai was appointed as a permanent judge of the Sikkim High Court on April 15, 2015, marking her as the first woman from Sikkim to reach the High Court Bench. She has also served as the acting Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court on multiple occasions, showcasing her leadership within the judiciary.
