Case to relax lawyers' code during summer; the top Court ordered petitioner to maneuver BCI

The Supreme Court today refused to entertain a plea seeking relaxation of codification for lawyers during the summer season

The petitioner Shailendra Tripathi chose to withdraw his plea after a Bench of Justices Indira Banerjee and V Ramasubramanian asked the petitioner to approach the Bar Council of India (BCI) together with his grievance.

The Court said that the petitioner are going to be at liberty to approach the highest court again if the BCI doesn't act.

Tripathi's petition said that the current codification for lawyers consisting of black robes/coats/ blazers with long ceremonial gowns, may be a colonial legacy unsuited to the Indian climate particularly during summers within the northern and coastal parts of the country.

"It [black gowns] brings dignity and decorum but striking a prudent balance between symbolism and favourable working environment is incredibly essential," the petition said.

Such a code causes discomfort and also imposes a financial burden on account of the garments wanting to be dry-cleaned and washed, the plea added

The bench sympathised with the petitioner with Justice Banerjee, who had previously been a judge in Calcutta and Madras High Courts, remarking,

"I have sympathies with you on this, specially being from Calcutta. Madras HC which is near the ocean."

The Court, however, said that it cannot entertain the plea under Article 32 and asked the petitioner to approach the BCI.

Senior Counsel Vikas Singh appeared for the petitioner. The petition was filed through advocate Abhigya Kushwah.