Supreme Court Clarifies That Women's Representation Rule Applies To All Bar Associations In Gujarat

The Supreme Court has clarified that its earlier order directing mandatory representation for women in Bar Associations will apply uniformly to all Bar Associations across Gujarat, regardless of their nomenclature.

In an order passed on 8 December 2025, a Bench led by the Chief Justice of India Surya Kant stated that the direction issued on 9 May 2025, requiring assured representation for women members in the Gujarat High Court and District Bar Associations, must be implemented without any exception. The Court made it clear that no Bar Association can avoid compliance merely because it describes itself by a different name or category.

"Order dated 09.05.2025 is clarified to the extent that the representation to be ensured for the women members within the Bar Associations shall apply to all the Bar Associations in the State of Gujarat. No distinction shall be made merely on account of nomenclature of a Bar Association," observed the order passed by and bench comprising CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi.

The clarification came in a miscellaneous application filed in Meena A Jagtap v. Bar Council of India, where the petitioner sought a clear statement that the May order covered every Bar body in the State. After hearing the parties, the Court confirmed that the mandate applies to all associations operating in Gujarat, putting an end to doubts raised regarding classification or nomenclature.

For Petitioner(s) : Mr. Anil Kumar Mishra, Adv. Mr. Aditya Jain, Adv. Mr. Navneet Jha, Adv. For M/S. J & D Law Offices, AOR

For Respondent(s) : Mrs. Sumita Ray, AOR Ms. Disha Ray, Adv. Mr. Anurag Kumar, Adv. Mr. Kunal Narwal, Adv. Ms. Vanshika Singh, Adv.

Click here to read the order