In a landmark appointment that sets a new precedent for gender representation in India's judicial bodies, Justice G Radha Rani has been named the President of the Telangana State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission. This historic move makes her the first woman in the country to head a state consumer commission as its president.
A Pioneering Appointment in Consumer Justice
The official orders for this significant appointment were issued by the state's consumer affairs, food and civil supplies department on Friday. According to the terms, Justice Radha Rani will serve as the full-time president of the commission for a tenure of four years from the date she assumes charge. Her term will continue until the completion of four years or until she attains the age of 67 years, whichever milestone is reached earlier.
An Illustrious Legal Career
Justice G Radha Rani brings a wealth of experience to this crucial role overseeing consumer protection in Telangana. Her judicial journey reached a pinnacle when she was appointed as a judge of the Telangana High Court in October 2021, serving with distinction until her retirement in June of this year.
Her legal career began decades earlier when she enrolled as an advocate with the Bar Council of Andhra Pradesh in August 1989. She built a robust practice, appearing in courts in Eluru, Vijayawada, and at the High Court in Hyderabad.
In a shift to public service, she entered through direct recruitment as an Assistant Public Prosecutor in June 1998. Demonstrating consistent excellence, she was promoted to Additional Public Prosecutor Grade II in 2007. The following year, in 2008, she took on the role of Additional Legal Advisor to the Director General of the Anti-Corruption Bureau.
Extensive Judicial Experience Across Telangana
Justice Radha Rani's career further ascended when she was selected as a District and Sessions Judge. In this capacity, she served across multiple important jurisdictions, including:
- Ongole
- Hyderabad
- Sangareddy
- Secunderabad
Her leadership roles expanded as she served as the Principal District Judge of Nalgonda and the Metropolitan Sessions Judge in Hyderabad. She also chaired the Telangana VAT Appellate Tribunal, gaining significant administrative and appellate experience before her eventual elevation to the High Court bench.
This appointment marks a significant step towards greater gender diversity in the leadership of India's key judicial and quasi-judicial institutions. The Telangana State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, under its new president, is poised to strengthen the framework for consumer rights and dispute resolution in the state.
