SC Directs Delhi HC Bar Association to Consider Women’s Reservation for Key Posts

The Supreme Court on Thursday called for the consideration of women’s reservation for positions within the Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA). A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant, Dipankar Datta, and Ujjal Bhuyan made this direction while hearing a plea seeking women’s reservation for posts in the association.

The apex court directed the DHCBA to convene a meeting and discuss reserving the post of Treasurer specifically for women members. In addition to the Treasurer position, the General Body of the bar was also asked to consider reserving another office bearer post for women in the association.

Petitions Filed by Advocates

The directive came as the court was hearing two petitions filed by advocates Aditi Chaudhary and Shobha Gupta. They challenged the Delhi High Court’s order dated September 11, 2024, which had not provided adequate representation of women advocates in Delhi’s Bar Associations. Senior Advocate Meenakshi Arora represented Aditi Chaudhary, while Senior Advocate Mohit Mathur appeared for the DHCBA.

Upcoming DHCBA Elections

The DHCBA elections are scheduled for October 19, 2024, with the election process already underway. The petition highlighted that since 1962, no woman has held the position of President or Secretary in the association, as indicated by information displayed on the DHCBA website.

Reference to Supreme Court Bar Association Precedent

The petition also referenced a Supreme Court ruling from May 2, 2024, which mandated that 1/3rd of the seats in the Supreme Court Bar Association’s Executive Committee and Senior Executive Members, along with one office bearer position on a rotational basis, be reserved for women members. For the 2024-25 election, the Treasurer position was reserved for women candidates.

The matter will next be heard on November 27, 2024, following the Delhi High Court’s decision to decline interim relief in the case on September 11, 2024.