Justice Leila Seth Passes Away, Twitterati Pay Tribute

RIP Justice Leila Seth!

Justice (retired) Leila Seth, the first woman Chief Justice of a high court in the country and mother of celebrated author Vikram Seth, passed away Friday night at her residence in Noida.

She died of cardiac seizure around 10.28 pm last night. My brother Vikram, sister and our other family members are here.

Shantum Seth, Son

“About three weeks ago, she had fallen down and fractured her hip. She had undergone a surgery at Apollo Hospital and was discharged a week ago. We called the PCR, the ambulance, but it was too late,” he said.

Seth, who broke many glass ceiling in the legal field, was the first woman to have topped the London Bar exam, the first woman judge of the Delhi High Court and also the first woman chief justice of a state high court (Himachal Pradesh).

On hearing about Leila Seth’s demise, people took to Twitter to express condolence.

Saddened at the passing of Justice Leila Seth. She was a champion of human rights. My condolences to her family

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 6, 2017

I remember reading Leila Seth's memoir and hooting for her all the way - her open mindedness and eclecticism and not to forget her kindness.

— Vivek Tejuja (@vivekisms) May 6, 2017

Deeply sad to hear of Justice Leila Seth's passing. Gratitude for her work on rights, as a role model, for her kindness. Pranaam, Salaam. pic.twitter.com/j6mXkAdJO4

— Karuna Nundy (@karunanundy) May 6, 2017

As a tribute to Leila Seth, can we have quiet reflection on what Verma Committee proposed against rape, and what was actually achieved? 1/n

— Kavita Krishnan (@kavita_krishnan) May 6, 2017

Justice Leila Seth was a remarkable human being, an exceptional Indian, a sublime combination of intelligence, grace, and courage.

— Ramachandra Guha (@Ram_Guha) May 6, 2017

Leila Seth, first woman CJ & fiesty women's rights activist passed away. RIP gentle soul. Read her wise views on death penalty& marital rape https://t.co/cUzYzrb0zN

— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) May 6, 2017

Saddened to hear of Justice Leila Seth's death. She was wonderful, warm and inspiring. Remembering her work on the Verma Committee today. +

— Nilanjana Roy (@nilanjanaroy) May 6, 2017

Had always known Leila Seth as my favorite author Vikram Seth's mother. Went on to read her stirring essays on how she accepted her gay son.

— Sohini (@Mittermaniac) May 6, 2017

I express my condolences on the sad demise of Justice Leila Seth- first woman to have held the position of Chief Justice of a High Court

— Trivendra S Rawat (@tsrawatbjp) May 6, 2017

Justice Leila Seth was a judge of intellect, integrity and compassion, all qualities that have gone missing today in public life. RIP

— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) May 6, 2017

(With PTI inputs)

Also read: Remembering Leila Seth – Judge, Author, Woman Extraordinaire