Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Patna High Court on Friday, marking a historic milestone for both Sikkim and the Indian judiciary. With her appointment, she has become the first woman from Sikkim to head any High Court in the country.
The oath of office was administered by Bihar Governor Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd.) at a ceremony held in Patna. Justice Rai succeeds Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo, who retired on June 4, 2026.
Her appointment was notified by the Centre on June 2 following a recommendation made by the Supreme Court Collegium on May 22. The elevation has been widely welcomed as an important step towards greater representation of women and professionals from smaller states in the higher judiciary.
Born on July 12, 1964, in Gangtok, Sikkim, Justice Rai is the daughter of Late Madan Mohan Rasaily, former Home Secretary of the Government of Sikkim, and Rabi Mala Rasaily (née Moktan), a former teacher at Baha’i School, Gangtok.
She began her education at Tathangchen School in Gangtok and later attended Dowhill School in Kurseong, West Bengal, as a boarder. She completed Class X in 1980 and Class XII from Tashi Namgyal Academy, Gangtok, in 1983.
Supported by a merit scholarship from the Government of Sikkim, she pursued Political Science (Honours) at Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University, graduating in 1986. She obtained her LL.B. degree from the Campus Law Centre, Delhi University, in 1989 and enrolled as an advocate with the Bar Association of Delhi in 1990. She briefly practised at the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court of India as an Advocate-on-Record.
Justice Rai’s judicial career began in Sikkim on December 11, 1990, when she became the state’s first female Judicial Magistrate First Class-cum-Civil Judge (East District) in Gangtok. The appointment was considered a landmark achievement in a profession largely dominated by men at the time.
Over the years, she served in several key positions, including Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-Civil Judge for East and North Districts and District & Sessions Judge (Special Division-II) in Gangtok.
She also held important administrative responsibilities. She served as Registrar General of the Sikkim High Court in 2006 and 2009 and simultaneously discharged duties as Member Secretary of the Sikkim State Legal Services Authority, Secretary of the High Court Legal Services Committee, and Central Project Coordinator for the e-Committee. Her responsibilities also included serving as Special Judge under the NDPS Act, Prevention of Corruption Act, and SC/ST Atrocities Act, besides heading the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum as its President.
On April 15, 2015, Justice Rai became the first woman from Sikkim to be elevated as a judge of the Sikkim High Court. She later served as Acting Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court on several occasions in 2018, 2019, 2021, and again in late 2025.
Her appointment as Chief Justice of the Patna High Court has drawn praise from leaders and legal experts. Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang described it as a “historic moment” and a matter of immense pride for the state. He expressed confidence in her ability to uphold the highest traditions of justice. Sikkim Governor Om Prakash Mathur also felicitated her and acknowledged her contributions to the judiciary.
Justice Rai takes charge of the Patna High Court, one of India’s oldest High Courts, established in 1916. The court handles a significant caseload from Bihar. Observers believe her vast administrative experience and commitment to legal services will help strengthen case management, improve access to justice, and support institutional reforms. Her work in legal aid programmes and e-governance initiatives in Sikkim is also expected to contribute positively to her new role.
Her rise from a pioneering magistrate in Sikkim to the Chief Justice of a major High Court reflects a career built on dedication, perseverance, and professional excellence. It also highlights the growing contribution of talent from India’s northeastern states to the national judiciary.
For Sikkim, the appointment is a moment of pride. For the legal community across the country, it represents continuing progress in gender and regional representation within the higher judiciary. As Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai begins a new chapter at the Patna High Court, her journey continues to inspire aspiring lawyers and judges across India.