Supreme Court Seeks Reports From HCs On Compliance With 30% Women Representation In Bar Associations

The Supreme Court has directed the Registrar General of the High Court of Karnataka, as well as Registrars General of all High Courts, to verify and report compliance with its earlier mandate requiring 30 percent representation of women lawyers as office bearers or executive members in Bar Associations.The direction was passed while hearing a batch of special leave petitions arising from a Karnataka High Court judgment. A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi noted submissions by senior counsel that several Bar Associations in Karnataka had either not complied or only partially complied with the Supreme Court's order dated March 24, 2025.By that earlier order, the Supreme Court had mandated that all District, Taluka and other Bar Associations ensure at least 30 percent representation of women lawyers in their office bearers and executive committees. Registrars General of all High Courts had been directed to ensure implementation of the directive.During the hearing, it was pointed out that despite the order, many Bar Associations had conducted elections without electing women as office bearers or without providing adequate representation in their executive bodies.Taking note of these submissions, the Court directed all Registrars General to collect accurate, association-wise data within their respective jurisdictions and submit compliance reports before the Court. The Bench further clarified that wherever non-compliance is found, Registrars General must take necessary remedial steps to ensure adherence to the 30 percent representation requirement, and thereafter file compliance reports."we direct the Registrar General of the High Court of Karnataka as well as all other Registrar Generals to collect the correct facts with respect to every Bar Association within their territorial jurisdiction and submit a compliance report to this Court.It goes without saying that wherever it comes to the notice of the Registrar General that a Bar Association has failed to ensure 30% representation to women lawyers in the manner as was directed by this Court, necessary remedial steps shall be taken to ensure such representation, following which a compliance report shall be filed."The matters have been listed for further consideration on March 13, 2026.Case Title: DEEKSHA N AMRUTHESH Versus STATE OF KARNATAKA AND ORS., SLP(C) No. 1404/2025 (and connected cases)Click here to read the order

Supreme Court Seeks Reports From HCs On Compliance With 30% Women Representation In Bar Associations

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