Leila Seth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hon'ble Justice
Leila Seth
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Seth in 2011
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| 8th Chief Justice, Himachal Pradesh High Court | |
| In office 5 August 1991 – 20 October 1992 |
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| Preceded by | P. C. B. Menon |
| Succeeded by | Shashi Kant Seth |
| Judge, Delhi High Court | |
| In office 25 July 1978 – 4 August 1991 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 20 October 1930 Lucknow, United Provinces, British India |
| Died | 5 May 2017 (aged 86) Noida, India |
| Spouse | Prem Nath Seth |
| Children | 3; including Vikram Seth |
| Occupation | Judge |
Leila Seth (born October 20, 1930 – died May 5, 2017) was an amazing Indian judge. She made history many times! She was the first woman judge on the Delhi High Court. Later, she became the first woman to be a Chief Justice of a state High Court in India. This happened in Himachal Pradesh on August 5, 1991.
She was also the first woman to be named a senior lawyer by India's highest court, the Supreme Court. Leila Seth worked on important committees and helped change laws. For example, she helped make sure daughters had equal rights to family property.
Early Life and Education
Leila Seth was born in Lucknow on October 20, 1930. She was the first daughter in her family, with two older brothers. She was very close to her father, who worked for the railway. Sadly, her father passed away when she was only 11 years old.
After her father's death, her family faced money problems. But Leila's mother worked hard to send her to school at Loreto Convent, Darjeeling. After finishing school, Leila started working as a stenographer in Kolkata. There, she met her future husband, Prem Seth. They had what she called a "semi-arranged" marriage.
After getting married, Leila moved to London with her husband. This move gave her a chance to study law. She chose law because it didn't require attending daily classes. This was important because she had a baby at the time.
In 1958, at age 27, Leila Seth took the London Bar exam. She came in first place, becoming the first woman ever to do so! She officially became a lawyer in 1959. A London newspaper called her "Mother-in-Law" and showed a picture of her with her baby. Other newspapers were surprised that a married woman topped the exam.
A Trailblazing Career
After her success in London, Leila and Prem Seth moved back to India. Leila began her law career in Patna. She worked with experienced lawyers and spent 10 years at the Patna High Court. She often spoke about the challenges she faced as a woman in a field mostly dominated by men. People sometimes doubted her abilities just because she was a woman.
Leila Seth handled many different types of legal cases. These included tax issues, company law, and cases about the Indian Constitution. She also worked on civil and criminal cases. In 1972, she moved to the Delhi High Court. She also started working on cases in the Supreme Court of India. On January 10, 1977, the Supreme Court officially named her a senior lawyer.
In 1978, Leila Seth became a Judge of the Delhi High Court. This was a huge step, as she was the first woman to hold this position. Her career continued to soar when she became the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court. Again, she was the first woman to become a Chief Justice of a state High Court in India.
Justice Seth also led many important groups focused on law and human rights. From 1997 to 2000, she was part of the 15th Law Commission of India. During this time, she strongly supported changes to the Hindu Succession Act. These changes gave daughters equal rights to inherit family property. She also chaired the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) for several years.
Family Life
Justice Leila Seth married Prem Seth when she was 20 years old. They had three children: Vikram Seth, Shantum Seth, and Aradhana Seth. Vikram Seth grew up to be a famous poet and writer. Shantum Seth became a Buddhist teacher. Aradhana is an artist and filmmaker.
Leila Seth was a strong supporter of her son Vikram. She believed in equal rights for all people. She wrote articles, including one in The Times of India, sharing her views on fairness and equality.
Later Years and Legacy
Justice Leila Seth passed away on May 5, 2017, at her home in Noida. She was 86 years old. She is remembered by her husband, two sons, and a daughter. Following her wishes, no funeral was held. Instead, she donated her eyes and other organs to help others or for medical research. Her life showed that with hard work and determination, anyone can achieve great things and make a lasting impact.
