Delhi High Court Directs BCI Committee To Consider Plea Seeking Polling Booths At District Courts For BCD Elections
The Delhi High Court has directed the Special Committee constituted by the Bar Council of India (BCI) to consider as representation a plea to make arrangements for polling of votes for the upcoming Bar Council of Delhi (BCD) elections.
Justice Mini Pushkarna directed that the plea filed by lawyer Surendar Kumar be considered as a representation by the Special Committee for the State BCD, as constituted under Section 8A of the Advocates Act, 1961.
“Let the representation be considered by the Special Committee and an order be passed on the representation of the petitioner expeditiously, preferably, within a period of three weeks, from today,” the Court said.
The elections for BCD is scheduled to be held on February 13-14, 2026. The poll concerns the Delhi High Court as well as the District Courts at Dwarka, Tis Hazari District Court, Saket and Karkardooma District Court. More than 1,05,000 advocates will participate in the polling.
It was Kumar's case that till now, polling has been conducted only at the premises of the Delhi High Court, which has resulted in overcrowding, long queues stretching for several hours and security concerns.
As per Kumar, the situation creates difficulty for advocates who have matters listed in different Courts.
He thus contended that the management of such huge public and number of vehicles is impossible, and it will affect the casting of votes in a fair manner. He prayed for establishing polling booths at District Court in feasible locations.
The Court noted that as per a recent Supreme Court order, a Special Committee has been constituted to supervise all the aspects of conduct of elections to the BCD.
It also noted that in case of any individual grievance by any person with regard to the elections or any other issue, liberty has been granted to approach the High-Powered Election Committee, which is the Special Committee in the case of Delhi.
Justice Pushkarna said that the order passed by the Supreme Court is categorical to the effect that no Civil Court or High Court shall entertain any petition against any such decision.
“Accordingly, considering the aforesaid, it is directed that the present writ petition be considered as a representation by the Special Committee for the State BCD, as constituted under Section 8A of the Advocates Act, 1961,” the Court said.
Title: SURENDAR KUMAR v. BAR COUNCIL OF DELHI & ANR