Kerala: The advocate Preeta Aravindan Krishnamma appointment to the Kerala High Court has been officially notified by the Government of India, marking a significant addition to the judiciary.
The Ministry of Law and Justice confirmed that Advocate Preeta Aravindan Krishnamma has been appointed as an Additional Judge following due constitutional process. The announcement highlights the continued strengthening of the judicial system with experienced legal professionals.
Background of Advocate Preeta Aravindan Krishnamma Appointment
The Ministry of Law and Justice issued a formal notification confirming the appointment. The decision was taken by the President of India after consultation with the Chief Justice of India, as required under the Constitution.
The Union Law Minister shared the update on the social media platform on April 24, 2026. In his official statement, he said that the President, exercising constitutional powers, has appointed Smt. Preeta Aravindan Krishnamma as an Additional Judge of the .
Collegium Recommendation Process
The appointment follows the recommendation of the Supreme court, which proposed her name on April 14, 2026.
The Collegium had recommended two advocates for elevation to the Kerala High Court. However, only the appointment of Preeta Aravindan Krishnamma has been notified so far, while the second name is still pending approval from the central government.
This reflects the standard judicial appointment procedure where the Collegium recommends names, followed by executive approval.
About Advocate Preeta Aravindan Krishnamma
Preeta Aravindan Krishnamma (commonly referred to as A. K. Preetha) is a distinguished Indian jurist who was elevated to the Bench of the Kerala High Court as an Additional Judge in April 2026. Prior to her elevation, she was a veteran advocate with nearly three decades of specialized experience in labor and constitutional law.
Personal Background & Education
- Early Life: Born in Peermade (Peerumedu), Idukki district, Kerala. She is the daughter of the late Advocate B. R. Aravindan Nair and Krishnamma.
- Academic Credentials: She obtained her law degree from the Kerala Law Academy, Thiruvananthapuram.
- Personal Life: She is married to S. S. Giri Shankar, who serves as the Principal of St. Dominic’s College of Law, Kanjirappally, and was formerly an Associate Professor at Government Law College, Ernakulam.
Legal Career & Professional Experience
- Enrollment: She enrolled as an advocate with the Bar Council of Kerala on October 26, 1997.
- Specialization: Over a career spanning 29 years, she established a robust practice primarily before the High Court of Kerala, as well as various Labour Courts and Industrial Tribunals. Her core areas of expertise include:
- Labour and Employment Law
- Constitutional Law
- Service Law
- Standing Counsel Roles: Before her judicial appointment, she represented several high-profile government and public sector entities as Standing Counsel, including:
- The Customs and Central Excise Department (Government of India)
- Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC)
- Gas Authority of India Ltd. (GAIL)
- Kochi Metro Rail Ltd.
- Kochi Water Metro Ltd.
