Ex-Supreme Court Judge Katju Apologises for Offensive Remark on Women Lawyers

Former Supreme Court judge Justice Markandey Katju has apologised after facing widespread criticism for his remarks on women lawyers.

Justice Katju had posted on Facebook that women lawyers who “winked” at him in court received favourable orders. Though he deleted the post soon after, it sparked outrage, particularly from the Supreme Court Women Lawyers Association (SCWLA).

In a statement on August 22, SCWLA strongly condemned the remarks, calling them “misogynistic” and “an attack on the dignity, competence and credibility of women lawyers.” The Association said that such comments from a former Supreme Court judge not only demean the hard work of women advocates but also damage public trust in the judicial system.

SCWLA demanded an unconditional apology and urged the wider legal fraternity to reject such regressive views.

Later that day, Justice Katju issued a public apology on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter). He said the remark was meant as a joke but accepted that many women lawyers felt hurt and clarified, “So I apologise, as demanded by the Supreme Court Women Lawyers Association.”