SKOCH India Law Award

Justice

Indira Banerjee

Former Judge, Supreme Court of India

SKOCH India Law Award Service to Justice

Justice Indira Banerjee

Former Judge, Supreme Court of India

New Delhi, 26th Aug 2023

Justice Indira Banerjee, a distinguished figure whose tenure as a Supreme Court judge was defined by her focus on quality over volume. Despite her reserved demeanour during hearings, her pointed questions would leave counsel scrambling for answers. As the 8th woman to serve in the Supreme Court, Justice Banerjee’s journey began with a solid education, graduating from Presidency College and earning her LL. B from Calcutta University. She became a Judge of the Calcutta High Court in 2002 and later served in the Delhi High Court before becoming the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court in 2017.

Finally, on August 7th, 2018, she reached the pinnacle of her career as a Supreme Court judge, retiring on September 23rd, 2022, after an illustrious four-year tenure. Beyond her legal achievements, Justice Banerjee passionately addressed the challenges faced by women in the legal profession, acknowledging the delicate balance between career and family responsibilities.

L To R: Gursharan Dhanjal Vice Chairman SKOCH Group; Sameer Kochhar, Chairman, SKOCH Group; Justice Indira Banerjee, Former Judge, Supreme Court of India

Her legacy includes significant judgments, such as the unanimous three-judge Bench ruling in Dattatraya v State of Maharashtra (2019) and the five-judge Bench decision in Rajendra Diwan v Pradeep Kumar Ranibala (2019). Justice Indira Banerjee’s profound impact on the Indian legal landscape and commitment to justice serves as a timeless inspiration for future generations.

SKOCH India Law Award

SKOCH Award, independently instituted in 2003, is India’s honest civilian honour conferred by an independent organisation as a third party assessment. It is the only award in the country that is based on feltneeds assessment and outcome evaluation based on evidence. It therefore, recognises people, projects and institutions that go the extra mile to make India a better nation.

SKOCH Award covers the best of efforts in the area of digital, financial and social inclusion. It encompasses the best of governance, inclusive growth, excellence in technology and applications, change management, corporate leadership, corporate governance, citizen service delivery, capacity building, empowerment and other such softer issues that get normally lost in the glamour and glitz of industry sponsored or advertising focused jamborees.

The SKOCH Award not only acknowledges exceptional achievers – organisations and individuals – but also spurs institutional guidance and best practices in the industry.