India's first woman chief judge of a High Court passes away
India's first woman High Court Chief Justice and Delhi High Court's first woman judge, Justice (retired) Leila Seth, passed away at her residence in Noida at the age of 86. Seth was the mother of noted author Vikram Seth. "Saddened at the passing of Justice Leila Seth. She was a champion of human rights," West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee tweeted.
Justice (retired) Leila Seth, mother of noted author Vikram Seth and first woman judge of Delhi High Court, has passed away. She was 86. According to reports, she died at her residence in Noida.Leila Seth was also India's first woman High Court chief justice.  A crusader against injustices done to women, Seth was part of the anti-rape law committee along with former Chief Justice of India J.S. Verma. The committee was set up to suggest amendments to the criminal law to deal with such grave offences in the light of the December 16, 2012 Nirbhaya case.JUSTICE SETH DIED ON FRIDAY NIGHT: FAMILY MEMBERAccording to a family member, Justice Leila Seth is learnt to have passed away on Friday night around 10.30 pm after suffering a cardio respiratory attack.Seth served as the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court. Leila is survived by her husband and two sons, including celebrated author Vikram Seth and a daughter.  Justice Seth was also a part of many enquiry commissions, one of which studied the impact of the TV serial "Shaktiman" on children. Well-known historian Ramachandra Guha tweeted his condolence at her demise. Justice Leila Seth was a remarkable human being, an exceptional Indian, a sublime combination of intelligence, grace, and courage.West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also paid her respects. Saddened at the passing of Justice Leila Seth. She was a champion of human rights. My condolences to her familyDelhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, too, tweeted a condolence message."Saddened to know about the passing away of Justice Leila Seth. Her progressive views on justice and gender issues will always encourage us," he wrote.(WITH INPUTS FROM IANS)