-By Utsav Anand
On 6 May, the Supreme Court of India directed that the election for office bearers of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) will take place on May 20, 2025. The court directed the mandate that the elections be conducted using the voter list finalized from the 2024 elections. Additionally, the advocates who have become eligible members of the SCBA up to February 28, 2025, are also to be included in the voter list.
Further stating in the order Supreme Court stated that the position of Secretary will be exclusively reserved for women candidates. Moreover, one-third of the Executive Committee’s seats, 3 out of 9, will also be reserved for women. The move marks the court’s initiative to ensure the greater representation of women in SCBA, following the similar trend from the 2024 election.
During the proceedings, the bench comprising of Justice Surya Kant and Justice K.V. Viswanathan passed these directives. The court acknowledged the recieving of report from Justice (Retd.) L. Nageswara Rao contains recommendations for reforming the SCBA’s bylaws and the election procedure. It is instructed by the court to bring the report in the knowledge of public by making it available on the SCBA website. Also mentioned that any challenges to the report will not be entertained, but members are welcome to submit their suggestions.
The bench clarified that the implementation of the Rao Committee’s recommendation for the upcoming elections would not be enforced for the implementation without first considering the views of SCBA members. However, the court directed that it would not permit the association to ignore or indefinitely delay action on the report. Justice Kant reiterated the importance of giving due consideration and respect to the report, noting that although it is not initiated by the Bar, it holds significant value.
On Senion Advocates Shobha Gupta’s request to reserve the secretary post for women,rotating from the previous reservation of the Treasurer post, responding to that, Justice Kaant agreed to this request. The application was filed by Advocate Yogmaya MG through Advocate On Record Sriram Parakkat.
For this election, we can continue as per past practice. But for future, think why your elections cannot be held on the same day as that of HC, District Courts..,” Justice Kant further suggested.
The court also suggested that in the future, SCBA elections be synchronized with those of high courts and district courts, to ensure consistency and efficiency in the electoral process. Last year marked the first instance of women’s reservation in SCBA elections, and the decision reinforces the Court’s commitment to institutional reform and inclusive representation within the Bar Association.
