Supreme Court Orders Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) to Reserve Posts in the Executive Committee (EC) of the Bar Body for Women

Today (September 26, 2024), the Supreme Court (SC) urged the Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) to reserve posts in the Executive Committee (EC) of the bar body for women. The three-judge bench of SC constituting Justice Surya Kant, Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, and Justice Dipankar Datta ordered that out of 10 EC members, there should be at least 3 women members. It further directed that a meeting of the General Body of DHCBA be held as early as possible, not later than 10 days. The order reads, “Let the General Body Meeting of DHCBA be held within 10 days from today. General Body shall consider desirability of reserving at least post of treasurer for women.” This was directed by the bench while hearing pleas seeking reservation for women lawyers in Delhi’s Bar bodies. One plea sought directions to all the district bar associations in the national capital to implement 33 % reservation for women in all Bar elections. The other plea sought reservation for women in the DHCBA. 

During the proceedings, Senior Advocate (SA) Vikas Singh appeared for the DHCBA. The bench asked him to come up with instructions tomorrow (September 27, 2024). Justice Kant said to SA Singh, “We would like you people to show the grace and suggest us two posts out of which one we think can be reserved...we will have to promote...the only disappointing feature was...when they pointed out that...since 1962, a woman President has not been elected. We are in 2024. So let's begin with some happy note. That can be Vice-President. Let's take a chance. If you come up tomorrow with this, we would really appreciate.” SA ANS Nandkarni, who appeared for Delhi Bar associations, said, “We already have 1 post reserved for women." In this context, SA Meenakshi Arora for petitioners said, "Once elections are held, then it (petitions) will become infructuous.” After hearing the contentions, the bench directed the DHCBA to reserves posts in EC for women and said, “We need some brand ambassadors to show the way. Maybe once DHCBA does then, they (district bar associations) will do it and eagerly follow what is done by High Court Bar. We have no reason to doubt that district bars will not follow." Earlier this year, the SC bench directed the implementation of 33% women reservation in the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) elections.