The Bar Council of India has appointed Maninderjit Singh Bedi, Advocate General for the State of Punjab, as interim Chairman of the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana, by a decision taken by circulation on August 26 and communicated on August 27.

The appointment fills a vacancy created when Pravindra Singh Chauhan, who had been holding interim charge of the State Bar Council since 04.05.2026, in his capacity as the then senior Advocate General for Haryana, was elevated as an Additional Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and consequently ceased to hold that office.

Elections to the State Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana have been completed, but the process for the full constitution of the Council including co-option of two women members in compliance with directions of the Supreme Court remains pending, as does the consequent election of the Council's Chairman, Vice-Chairman and other office-bearers.

To avoid an administrative vacuum during this interregnum, the BCI had earlier, by order dated 04.05.2026, directed the erstwhile Chairman to hand over charge to Chauhan on an interim basis. With his elevation to the Bench, the State Bar Council requested the BCI to make a fresh interim arrangement.

Noting that Bedi, as Advocate General for Punjab, has held that office continuously for a longer period than the incumbent Advocate General for Haryana, and is an ex officio member of the State Bar Council, the BCI resolved to entrust him with interim charge as Chairman with immediate effect.

The communication also specifies that the arrangement will not affect, delay or pre-empt the pending Supreme Court-mandated process for co-option of two women members, which is to proceed independently, nor any pending proceeding or order of the Supreme Court, the High Court, or any other competent authority concerning the Council's composition or functioning.

The interim arrangement is to continue only until the Council's composition is completed and its statutory office-bearers assume office, or until a further BCI decision or court order — whichever occurs first, at which point Bedi is to hand over charge to the duly elected Chairman.

The BCI has further clarified that the decision is confined to "the peculiar and temporary circumstances presently prevailing" and is not to be treated as a precedent for appointing a Chairman or Vice-Chairman of any State Bar Council otherwise than in accordance with the Advocates Act and applicable Rules.