Bar Council Of India Seeks Details On Mamata Banerjee's Enrollment Status After Her Appearance Before Calcutta HC In Lawyer's Robes
Srinjoy Das
14 May 2026 4:26 PM IST
The Bar Council of India (BCI) has sought detailed information from the Bar Council of West Bengal regarding the enrollment and practice status of former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after she appeared before the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday wearing advocate's robes and white bands.
In a letter dated May 14, 2026 addressed to the Secretary of the State Bar Council of West Bengal, the BCI said it had taken note of “various media reports” stating that Banerjee appeared before the High Court in legal attire. The appearance was also reported by LiveLaw earlier in the day.
The communication, issued by BCI Principal Secretary Srimanto Sen, directed the State Bar Council to furnish records relating to Banerjee's enrollment, continuation on the State Roll, suspension or cessation of practice, if any, and any subsequent resumption of practice.
“It has been brought to the notice of the Bar Council of India, through various media reports, that Ms. Mamata Banerjee, former Chief Minister of West Bengal, appeared today before the Hon'ble High Court at Calcutta wearing advocate's robes / legal attire, including white bands,” the letter stated.
Referring to the Bar Council of India Rules governing professional conduct and the prescribed dress code for advocates appearing before courts, the BCI said verification of Banerjee's factual practice status was necessary.
The BCI noted that Banerjee served as Chief Minister of West Bengal from 2011 to 2026 and stated that, “without expressing any opinion at this stage on the permissibility or otherwise of such appearance,” it required the factual status of her enrollment and practice to be verified from official records.
Among the details sought by the BCI are:
Banerjee's enrollment number and date of enrollment with the State Bar Council;
Whether her name presently continues on the State Roll of Advocates;
Whether she had intimated voluntary suspension, cessation, or resumption of practice during or after her tenure as Chief Minister;
Whether any Certificate of Practice in her favour presently exists and whether it remains valid, active, suspended, or otherwise;
Copies of any related correspondence, orders, file notings, or practice-status records maintained by the State Bar Council.
The BCI further directed that certified copies of all relevant records, including entries from the State Roll, enrollment registers, suspension or resumption records, inward registers, and correspondence files, be supplied within two days.
The letter also instructed the State Bar Council to preserve all original records in their present form pending submission of the reply and cautioned against any alteration, correction, overwriting, or reconstruction of records except in accordance with law and after due intimation to the BCI.
“Kindly treat the matter as urgent,” the communication stated.
