Justice Bela M. Trivedi Bids Farewell to Supreme Court After Trailblazing Career

Justice Bela M. Trivedi, the eleventh woman in the history of the Indian Supreme Court, demitted office on May 16, 2025, after serving three-and-a-half impactful years on the Bench. Her career is marked by a series of legal firsts, including her rare elevation from a trial court judge to the apex court and her contribution to several landmark rulings shaping Indian jurisprudence.

Why in News?

Justice Bela M. Trivedi retired from the Supreme Court of India on May 16, 2025. Her tenure was notable for her judicial contributions in constitutional matters, child protection laws, reservation policies, and economic legislation. Her exit marks the end of a distinguished legal journey that began in Gujarat’s trial courts in 1995.

Key Highlights of Justice Bela M. Trivedi’s Career

Firsts and Distinctions

• 11th woman judge in the history of the Supreme Court.
• Elevated from trial court (appointed July 10, 1995, in Ahmedabad) to Supreme Court (August 31, 2021).
• Featured in the Limca Book of Records for being a father-daughter judge duo in the same court.

Landmark Judgments

EWS Quota Case (Nov 2022)

• Part of the 5-judge Bench that upheld 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).

Sub-classification within SCs (Aug 2024)

• Dissenting judge in a 6:1 ruling that allowed sub-categorisation within Scheduled Castes by states.

POCSO Act Ruling (Nov 2021)

• Overruled “skin-to-skin” judgment; clarified that sexual intent and any physical contact constitute assault.

Insolvency Law Case

• Ruled that moratorium under IBC doesn’t bar property attachment under state depositor protection laws.

Shri Banke Bihari Corridor (May 2025)

• Cleared UP govt’s temple corridor project for Mathura’s Banke Bihari temple.

Professional Journey

• Practiced law in Gujarat High Court for 10 years.
• Held administrative roles like Registrar Vigilance and Law Secretary, Gujarat.
• Elevated to Gujarat High Court (2011), transferred to Rajasthan HC (2011), returned to Gujarat HC (2016).
• Supreme Court elevation in 2021 as part of a historic induction of 9 judges, including 3 women.

Significance

• Justice Trivedi’s journey underscores progress in gender representation, legal diversity, and judicial reform.
• Her judgments, especially those concerning marginalised communities, children’s rights, and constitutional interpretation, will continue to influence Indian legal discourse.