Supreme Court Collegium Recommends Justice Revati P. Mohite Dere as Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court

The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the appointment of Justice Revati P. Mohite Dere, currently a senior judge of the Bombay High Court, as the Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court. The recommendation was made during the Collegium meeting held on December 18, underscoring her long-standing judicial experience and impactful contribution to Indian jurisprudence.

Who is Justice Revati P. Mohite Dere?

Born on April 17, 1965, in Pune, Justice Mohite Dere earned her LLB degree from Symbiosis Law College, Pune. She began her legal career practicing at the Bombay High Court and later served as a Public Prosecutor for the Government of Maharashtra.

She was elevated as an Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court in 2013 and became a Permanent Judge in 2015. Notably, she has served continuously at the Bombay High Court without any transfer and is presently its second senior-most judge.

Landmark Judgments and Judicial Contributions

Justice Mohite Dere has authored and contributed to several landmark rulings, particularly in the areas of criminal justice, police accountability, women’s rights, and constitutional freedoms.

• Custodial Deaths and Police Accountability (2015):
  As part of a division bench, she directed the Maharashtra government to take stringent action in cases of custodial deaths, ordering investigation and suspension of erring police officials.
• Haji Ali Dargah Verdict (2016):
  She was part of the historic bench that struck down the ban on women entering the inner sanctum of Mumbai’s Haji Ali Dargah, declaring the restriction unconstitutional and affirming women’s right to equality and religious freedom.
• Healthcare for the Poor (2016):
  In a significant social justice-oriented observation, she recommended that corporations utilize their mandatory Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds to support hospital bills of economically weaker patients.
• Children in Prisons (2017):
  Justice Mohite Dere led a judicial inquiry into the conditions of children living with their incarcerated mothers in Maharashtra’s prisons, highlighting the need for humane and child-centric reforms.
• Abortion Rights of a Minor Rape Survivor (2019):
  In a path-breaking decision, she granted permission for the medical termination of pregnancy of a 14-year-old rape survivor, even beyond the statutory 20-week limit under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, recognizing the exceptional circumstances and prioritizing the victim’s physical and mental well-being.
• Sohrabuddin Encounter Case (2018):
  During her tenure on the high-profile Sohrabuddin Sheikh encounter case, she openly criticized the CBI for failing to cooperate adequately in the trial. Shortly thereafter, she was reassigned from hearing criminal review petitions.

A Judge Known for Independence and Sensitivity

Justice Revati P. Mohite Dere is widely regarded for her judicial independence, constitutional vision, and sensitivity towards human rights. Her elevation as Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court is seen as a significant step that will strengthen the judiciary in the northeastern region of the country.

Her appointment reflects the Collegium’s confidence in her ability to lead with integrity, fairness, and a deep commitment to justice.