14 Facts About Fathima Beevi

Fathima Beevi was an Indian judge who was a justice of the Supreme Court of India.

Fathima Beevi was born on 30 April 1927 at Pathanamthitta in the Kingdom of Travancore, now in the Indian state of Kerala, as the daughter of Annaveettil Meer Sahib and Khadeeja Beevi.

Fathima Beevi began her career in the lower judiciary in Kerala.

Fathima Beevi was appointed the Munsiff in the Kerala Sub-ordinate Judicial Services in May 1958.

In January 1980, Fathima Beevi was appointed the Judicial Member of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal.

Fathima Beevi was then elevated to the High Court as a Judge on 4 August 1983.

Fathima Beevi became permanent Judge of the High Court on 14 May 1984.

Fathima Beevi retired as the Judge of the High Court on 29 April 1989 but was further elevated to the Supreme Court as a Judge on 6 October 1989 where she retired on 29 April 1992.

Fathima Beevi later went on to become the Governor of Tamil Nadu on 25 January 1997.

Fathima Beevi was embroiled in controversy when she gave a clean chit to the law and order situation in Tamil Nadu that prompted the ire of the Central government.

Fathima Beevi justified her decision by saying that the majority party in the state assembly had elected Jayalalitha as their leader.

Fathima Beevi submitted her resignation after the Union Cabinet decided to recommend to the President to recall the Governor for having failed to discharge her constitutional obligation.

Fathima Beevi had served as the Chairman of Kerala Commission for Backward Classes and member of National Human Rights Commission.

Fathima Beevi died on 23 November 2023, at the age of 96.