Kerala HC revises dress code for women judicial officers
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Kochi: The Kerala High Court taking into account the changing climate among other issues, has revised the decades-old dress code for women judicial officers in the state.
Saree was the norm for women and from now on salwar-kameez or blouse/shirt with full-length trousers or skirts have now been allowed.
In a circular issued on October 7, the High Court revised its 1970 order and said that along with the option of white saree with black collar blouse, the women judicial officers could also use white salwar with high neck collar.
It said all other colours except black and white shall be avoided and the dress worn should be modest and simple and befitting the dignity of a judicial officer.
Following the change, the order dated October 7 gives a brief description and details which includes, white colour saree with black collar blouse with full/half sleeves and stiff/soft bands and collars with black gown as required, as worn at present.
White salwar (full or half sleeves) with high neck/collar, white or black kameez of modest fit and covering ankle, with black full-sleeved coat/black vest with soft/stiff collar and bands and gowns as required.
White full-sleeved high neck blouse/shirt with collar along with modest full ankle length trousers/skirts in black with stiff/soft collar and bands and black full sleeved coat/black vest with soft/stiff collar and bands and gown can be worn as required.
"It has been brought to the notice of the High Court by Lady Judicial Officers that the dress code prescribed for them as per the circular referred above (1970 circular) is causing hardships due to changes in climatic conditions and infrastructural deficiencies in the courts," the circular read.
In a meeting of Kerala Judicial Officers Association held here on Sunday, Chief Justice A J Desai had mentioned about the change in dress code.
With inputs from PTI
