New Delhi
The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) to reserve at least one-third of its executive committee seats for women. This decision, led by Justice Surya Kant, applies to the upcoming 2024-25 elections. One office-bearer position will be reserved for women on a rotating basis, and the treasurer’s role will also be set aside for a woman.
The bench, including Justice KV Viswanathan, clarified that women can still contest other posts in the SCBA. Thus, the new rules ensure at least one office-bearer, two senior executive members, and three executive members will be women.
Earlier, the Delhi HC was informed that SCBA would convene a General Body Meeting to discuss women’s representation, following a petition by advocate Yogamaya MG. She cited a representation signed by 270 SCBA members calling for amendments to ensure at least two executive positions for women. The petition stressed that women’s involvement in leadership roles is crucial for creating a workplace environment that addresses issues like sexual harassment and other challenges unique to women lawyers.
