A notable figure in the Bombay High Court, Justice Dr. Neela Gokhale brings a rich background in constitutional law and a commitment to public interest litigation. Her career is distinguished by academic pursuits and advocacy for social justice.
Born in Pune, Justice Dr. Neela Gokhale completed her LL.B. at Indian Law Society, Pune, and LL.M. at Pune University. She went on to earn her Doctorate at Bundelkhand University, Jhansi. This strong academic foundation shaped her approach to law and justice.
Justice Gokhale enrolled as an Advocate with the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa in 1992 and started practicing primarily in the District Courts of Pune. She also practiced before courts in various districts and the Hon'ble High Court of Bombay. In her early career, she was involved in facilitating rehabilitation for distraught women, single mothers, and adoption of children as part of Mahila Seva Mandal.
Later, Justice Gokhale moved to Delhi and practiced before the Hon'ble Supreme Court, specializing in constitutional law, adoption law, property laws, criminal law, public interest litigation, and matters relating to the armed forces. She remained connected to academia as a visiting faculty at the Indian Law Institute, New Delhi, for eight years. Known for her advocacy on public interest issues such as voting rights for armed personnel and equal rights for women, Justice Gokhale was elevated as an Additional Judge of the Hon'ble High Court of Bombay on January 30, 2023.
