Justice Markandey Katju on Friday issued a public apology after the Supreme Court Women Lawyers Association (SCWLA) strongly condemned his controversial social media remarks suggesting that women lawyers could secure favorable judicial orders by “winking” at him.
The controversy erupted after Justice Katju, in a now-deleted post on X, wrote: “All the lady lawyers who winked at me in court got favourable orders.” Screenshots of the comment went viral, sparking outrage across the legal fraternity.
Responding swiftly, SCWLA released a strongly worded statement, terming the remarks “misogynistic, offensive, and an assault on the dignity, competence, and integrity of women in law.” The association said such comments trivialize the hard work and merit of women advocates, adding that they “erode public confidence in the impartiality of the justice system and perpetuate harmful stereotypes.”
The press release was jointly signed by SCWLA President and senior advocate Mahalakshmi Pavani along with Vice Presidents Bhakti Pasrija Sethi and Priyanka Mathur, Secretary Prernaa Singh, Executive Member Maheravish Rein, Assistant Secretary Mansa Singh, Treasurer Sudha Pal, and Assistant Treasurer Subhra Saha.
SCWLA demanded an unconditional apology and urged the wider legal community to “reject and censure regressive attitudes that undermine gender equality and the credibility of judicial institutions.”
In his apology, Justice Katju wrote: “I hereby apologize for posting on Facebook that lady lawyers who winked at me got favourable orders. It was meant as a joke, and I deleted the post soon after. However, it seems many lady lawyers felt hurt, so I apologize as demanded by the Supreme Court Women Lawyers Association.”
The association, however, said the incident was “deeply disturbing” considering Justice Katju’s stature as a former Supreme Court judge once entrusted with safeguarding constitutional values. “Coming from someone who has held such high office, the remarks are particularly shocking and unbecoming of the dignity associated with a constitutional position,” it said.
Reaffirming its commitment to equality, the SCWLA assured women lawyers that such remarks should not affect their confidence. “Our worth is defined by our intellect, integrity, and commitment to justice—not outdated sexist notions. We will not be silenced, demeaned, or reduced to caricatures,” the association declared.
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