Gowri sworn in as Madras HC judge, SC dismisses plea against appointment

Apex court bench says court can only decide the question of Gowri's eligibility, not her suitability

As lawyer Victoria L Gowri was being sworn in as a judge of the Madras High Court on Tuesday, the Supreme Court dismissed petitions against her appointment.

A bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna and BR Gavai said the court can only decide the question of Gowri's eligibility to an additional judge and not her suitability.

"There is a difference between eligibility and suitability. On eligibility, there could be a challenge. But suitability? The courts should not get into suitability; the whole process will become haywire," Khanna said at the Supreme Court.

Senior lawyer Raju Ramachandran, who appeared for a petitioner