SC calls to 'dismantle' ‘men’s clubs’ in Bar Councils, orders co-option of 2 women
The Supreme Court of India has ordered the dismantling of 'men's clubs' within State Bar Councils by mandating the co-option of two women members per council. The court aims to increase female representation to 30% to ensure more inclusive and impartial governance.
Why it matters
This judicial intervention addresses systemic gender inequality in legal professional bodies, setting a precedent for institutional reform in India.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday observed that State Bar Councils have increasingly become “men’s clubs” and said the monopoly over their representation and functioning must be dismantled.A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana made the remarks while hearing petitions related to elections to the Bar Council of India and State Bar Councils.“Bar Councils have become men’s clubs. We may observe that people take it like a monopoly. This has to be completely dismantled,” CJI Surya Kant remarked during the hearing.The court directed the Chief Justices of the jurisdictional High Courts to nominate two women members to every State Bar Council through co-option.
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