Who is Victoria Gowri? What's the controversy around the newly appointed Madras High Court Judge?
Madras High Court Additional Judge Victoria Gowri
Madras High Court recently appointed Lawyer Lekshmana Chandra Victoria Gowri as an additional judge. But, Judge Victoria Gowri's appointment sparked controversy. Lawyers claimed the newly appointed additional judge of Madras High Court has given hate speeches against religious minorities in the past. However, the Supreme Court of India rejected their plea to withdraw Victoria Gowri's appointment. Advocate Lekshmana Gowri is a leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Tamil Nadu. Her unverified Twitter account says she is the leader of the BJP Mahila Morcha. The 49-year-old Victoria Gowri is amongst the 17 lawyers listed by the three-judge collegium headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud.
Advocate L.Victoria Gowri hasover 21 years of experience. She is also the first Woman Lawyer to establish an independent office in Kanyakumari District. Victoria Gowriis married and has two daughters.
What's the controversy?
The Supreme Court denied entertaining a plea to restrain Victoria Gowri from taking the oath. "We are not entertaining the writ petition. Reasons will follow," a bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and BR Gavai said.
On Tuesday, February 7, 2023, Victoria Gowri took oath as the additional judge of the Madras High Court. Earlier, the oath-taking was on February 10, but the top court preponed it.
In their petition, lawyers Anna Mathew, Sudha Ramalingam and D Nagasaila mentioned the hate speech made by Judge Victoria Gowri against Muslims and Christians. The lawyers referred to Gowri's appointment as a grave threat to the independence of the judiciary.
)
Emmys 2026: Matthew Rhys wins Best Actor twice, sets historic 78-year record
)
3 Italians fly from Delhi to Munich without immigration clearance; Air India gets notice on major security lapse
)
Did India risk its US trade deal despite softer stance at BRICS?
)
Pakistan puts Pak Rs 70 lakh bounty on UN terrorist Masood Azhar; move draws skepticism in Delhi
)
‘US ensuring global energy supplies’: Trump demands reimbursement for securing Strait of Hormuz
)
'She married her brother': Ilhan Omar faces criminal probe over immigration fraud claims
)
Ukraine strikes Syzran Oil Refinery deep inside Russia, fires erupt
)
Emmy Awards 2026: Widow's Bay and The Pitt win in lead categories- check out the complete list of winners
)
Indian-origin woman, Nepali-American friend crushed to death by subway train in New York
)
Emmys 2026: Michael J Fox honoured with Bob Hope Humanitarian Award for Parkinson’s advocacy
)
Emmys 2026 In Memoriam: Catherine O’Hara honoured by on-screen children Macaulay Culkin, Annie Murphy, Dan Levy; Dolly Parton, Rob Reiner remembered
)
Iran, India agree to deepen humanitarian and political ties, President Pezeshkian says
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Emmys 2026 Red Carpet: Zendaya, Nicole Kidman and Julia Garner lead the glamour peak
)
Turkish Airlines plane flies through a storm three times, triggering severe turbulence
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Chinese PL-15 air-to-air missiles use dual-pulse motors compared to European interceptors
)
What is Hyrox, in news for athlete who soiled herself, but kept running and using common equipment?
)
Russia proposes to build 360 kmph Ivolga FG trains in India: What happened on sidelines of BRICS
)
800 million years old - Scientists discover 'fingerprints' of supercontinent Gondwana in ancient rocks
)
Former Pak PM Imran Khan's ex-wife Jemima Goldsmith marries Australian financier: Who is Cameron O'Reilly
)
UPI payments up to Rs 2,000 to stays free, but bigger transactions may soon cost you: Govt
)
Gurugram hit and run case: Police arrest car driver Kalyan Bainsla, book him for attempt to murder
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New OTT releases this week (September 14-20, 2026): Lust Stories 3, Waiting Hai, Irumudi- 5 new titles coming on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Sent home midway from UK tour, Pakistan's Salman Agha hits 300* in domestic return
)
Who is Kalyan Bainsla, accused in the Gurugram hit-and-run case involving woman biker?
)
Nigerian Navy seizes 10,000 litres of suspected illegal fuel in Rivers State crackdown
)
Saudi Arabia discovers 110 million tonnes of Uranium-rich ore in Madinah region
)
Dodgers beat Reds for playoff berth in bid for third consecutive World Series
)
Ecstasy tablets are rage in 'drug haven' Libya | Gravitas
)
'Now Trump is copying us': Shivakumar links US $5,000 plan to Congress guarantees
)
Video of Pakistani lawmaker struggling to read English tribute to Jinnah goes viral - WATCH
)
Trump downplays China's alleged 'help' to Iran in strike on Jordan base | Gravitas
)
Trump loses Supreme Court battle over mail ballots ahead of US midterms: What happened?
)
BCCI VP Rajeev Shukla says Mohsin Naqvi 'did not object' India refusing trophy from ACC chief
)
Legendary costume designer Bob Mackie dies at 87: A look back at his iconic legacy
)
Delhi govt to roll out ₹13,820 crore development projects under Seva Sankalp Abhiyan: CM Rekha Gupta
)
UK man admits drugging, raping wife for 20 years in shocking abuse case
)
Extreme warming in Indian Ocean added 695 billion tons of ice to Antarctica ice sheet
)
China thinned Himalayan troop presence in 2025, India defence report says; terms border situation 'stable'
On the other hand, Victoria Gowri has pledged to work towards the liberation of marginalised communities. She has also sworn to promote unity in India. Gowri thanked her husband, two daughters, and her spiritual leader. Furthermore, she sought the blessings of the senior judges and lawyers.