Though even after 75 years of Independence the representation of women both at the Bar and the Bench has been meagre, we have numerous examples of women who have fought all odds to emerge as a winner in this male-dominated profession and who have made a name for themselves. This column is an ode to such fighters.
JUSTICE SANGEETA K. VISHEN
Born on 30th December, 1969, at Mahudha Taluka, Kheda District, Justice Sangeeta K. Vishen did her initial schooling at Valsad, and thereafter, completed her Secondary and Higher Secondary school education from Firdaus Amrut School, Ahmedabad.
After having obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce in the year 1991, and a Degree in Law in the year 1994, both from the Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Justice Vishen got enrolled as an Advocate with the Bar Council of Gujarat on 12th August, 1994, and immediately thereafter, started practicing in the High Court of Gujarat.
Justice Vishen was appointed as an Assistant Government Pleader in the year 2003, and got attached with the Additional Advocate General, State of Gujarat. Subsequently in the year 2004, she was appointed as an Additional Public Prosecutor. From December 2005 onwards, Justice Vishen assisted the Advocate General, State of Gujarat. In the said capacities, she appeared before the High Court of Gujarat, representing the State Government and its various Departments, Government Companies, Public Sector Establishments in different branches of law, including Constitutional, Civil, Service, Industrial and Company Law.
On 5th March, 2019, Justice Vishen got elevated as a Judge, High Court of Gujarat.
Notable Judgments
In June 2024, Justice Sangeeta K Vishen, after watching the film ‘Maharaj’, lifted the temporary stay that she had imposed earlier on the release of the film, by streaming giant Netflix, holding that the film was based on events that led to the filing of the 1862 Maharaj Libel case, and was not targeted on hurting the sentiments of the Pushtimargi community.
In February 2024, Justice Vishen observed that the Lender Banks must provide a reasonable opportunity to the Borrower by furnishing a copy of the Audit Reports, and allowing him to submit a representation, before classifying the account as fraud.
In May 2023, while granting relief to a student who was falling short of the age criteria of six years just by one day, Justice Vishen of the Gujarat High Court directed that the case of the student be considered for admission, and not be denied solely on this ground.
In April 2023, the Gujarat High Court dismissed an application, seeking relief to appear for regular examinations, filed by a law student, who was found to be involved in misconduct and was caught cheating during the end semester examination. While giving a holistic view to the regulations on unfair practices framed by the university administration, Justice Vishen held that the nature of the malpractice, and not just the penalty imposed, was important to ascertain the misconduct.
In January 2023, Justice Vishen enhanced the compensation granted by the civil court to a claimant on the ground that losing of both arms ‘below elbow up to lower one-third of forearm’ shall be construed to be 100% disability as per the guidelines for Evaluation of Permanent Physical Impairment in Amputees.
In February 2021, the Division Bench of Justice Sonia Gokani and Justice Sangeeta K. Vishen recommended the State Police Academy to train police officials, asking them to strictly adhere to the law and the principles established under the law, and also to inculcate in them sensitivity with dispassionate actions.
