Supreme Court endorses BCI proposal for women lawyers' representation

The Supreme Court on Tuesday indicated that the Bar Council of India's proposal to include the highest-polling but unsuccessful women candidates for 10% co-option seats in State Bar Council executive committees appears appropriate.

A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice V. Mohana directed the BCI to prepare final arrangements after consulting all stakeholders. The court was hearing implementation matters related to its previous directive ensuring 30% effective representation of women lawyers in State Bar Council executive committees.

CJI Surya Kant remarked that the BCI's suggestion to include unsuccessful candidates who received the most votes through co-option was a reasonable proposal. Most state elections have already concluded and results declared; the remaining issue concerns how to fill the reserved co-option seats.