New Delhi (TIP): Chief Justice of India SA Bobde on Thursday, April 15, said the time had come when a woman should be the Chief Justice of India. He also said there was no need for a change of attitude of the Collegium to ensure greater representation of women in the judiciary.

A special bench of Chief Justice SA Bobde and Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Surya Kant said, “Why higher judiciary. We think the time has come when a woman should be Chief Justice of India”.

The bench said, “We have the interest of women in mind. There is no attitudinal change in it. Hopefully, they (women) will be appointed”. SA Bobde also said several women lawyers turned down proposals to accept judgeship citing domestic responsibilities.

CJI SA Bobde said, “Chief Justices of High Courts have told me that there is a problem that when women lawyers are asked for appointment as judges, they often deny it saying that they have domestic responsibility or they have to take care of the studies of their children”.

However, the CJI’s comment invited a strong response from women in the bar. “There are many men who refuse judgeship because they have a successful practice and do not want to take a cut in their earnings. But has that stopped the collegium from seeking more men and making them judges?” The Indian Express quoted Bombay-based advocate Veena Gowda as saying.

The Delhi High Court Women Lawyers’ Forum also tweeted, “We are ready and more than happy to take this responsibility and serve the institution.”