The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed petitions challenging the appointment of advocate Lekshmana Chandra Victoria Gowri as an additional judge of the Madras High Court after her appointment on Monday.
Lekshmana Chandra Victoria Gowri’s appointment was challenged on the grounds of her alleged affiliation to the BJP and her views against Muslims and Christians. Even as the apex court was hearing a plea against her appointment, advocate Lekshmana Chandra Victoria Gowri was administered oath of office as additional judge of the high court.
She figures among 11 lawyers and two judicial officers whose appointment as additional judge of Madras, Karnataka, and Allahabad High Courts was notified on February 6.
A Bench of Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice BR Gavai said it can’t presume that the Collegium was not aware of Gowri’s political background or her controversial statements.
Shortly after the Centre notified appointment of 11 judges and two judicial as additional Judges of three high courts, the Supreme Court on February 6, preponed the hearing from earlier date of hearing on Friday 10 to February 7.
The proposal to elevate Gowri who had represented the Centre before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has been embroiled in controversy after reports emerged of her alleged ties to the BJP.
The plea was filed by some lawyers, including Anna Mathews, who tried to overturn Gowri’s recommendation for the judgeship.