On August 1, the Karnataka High Court will witness a remarkable event as an all-women team of State Law Officers presents arguments before all-women Benches at the Dharwad court. This initiative, overseen by Advocate General K Shashi Kiran Shetty, marks a significant moment in the legal history of Karnataka as women from both the Bar and the Bench take center stage.
Leading the Charge: Prathima Honnapura
Additional Advocate General Prathima Honnapura will lead the all-women team. This team is tasked with representing the Karnataka government across seven all-women Benches that will convene on this special Saturday sitting. These Benches will exclusively comprise women judges, while the State’s representation will be carried out by women law officers. The initiative is designed to highlight the capabilities and contributions of women in the legal field.
The State’s All-Women Representation
The team of State law officers includes a diverse group of female legal professionals. In addition to Prathima Honnapura, the team comprises Nandini Somapur, Pramodhini Kishan, Savithramma, B P Radha, Sunita Sequeria, Spoorthy V, Mamatha Shetty, Girija Hiremath, Rashmi Patel, Rashmi Rao, Kirtilata R Patil, Mala B Bhoote, Hemalatha V, Ratnamala, Prathibha R K, Chandini S, Sowmya R, Waheeda, and Deepthi Alva. These women serve as Additional Government Advocates (AGAs) and High Court Government Pleaders (HCGPs), ensuring robust representation of the State across all proceedings.
A Historic Sitting
This special sitting was organized following a request from the female representatives of the Advocates’ Association in Dharwad, demonstrating a concerted effort to promote gender equality and visibility in the judiciary. The seven all-women Benches will include esteemed judges such as Justice Anu Sivaraman, Justice KG Shanthi, Justice Jyoti M, Justice P Sree Sudha, Justice Lalitha Kanneganti, Justice KS Hemalekha, Justice Chillakur Sumalatha, Justice Tara Vitasta Ganju, Justice Geetha KB, and Justice Rajeshwari N Hegde.
Symbolizing Progress
While all-women Benches are a rarity in India’s constitutional courts, the simultaneous appearance of an all-women legal team before these benches on the same day is even more extraordinary. This initiative not only underscores the growing representation of women in the legal profession but also sets a precedent for future endeavors aimed at gender inclusivity. The August 1 sitting is a beacon of progress for both the judiciary and the legal community.
