The Supreme Court on Friday noted the assurance given by the Bar Council of India (BCI) that elections to the Punjab and Haryana State Bar Council will be notified within ten days, with an effort to complete the process by December 31, 2025.

A bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi recorded the statement made by BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra, observing:

“Mr. Manan Kumar Mishra, Chairman, BCI, has assured that the election to the Punjab and Haryana State Bar Council shall be notified within 10 days, and every effort will be made to conclude the process by December 31, 2025.”

During the hearing, Mr. Mishra, however, clarified that concluding the process within this year may be challenging, as the BCI Rules prescribe a 180-day timeline for completing elections. Taking note of this, Justice Kant directed the formation of a supervisory committee headed by a retired High Court judge to oversee the election process. The BCI Chairman agreed to this direction.

Addressing concerns raised by members of the Bar, Justice Kant observed that the Court had been working to ensure the revival of democratic functioning in State Bar Councils.

“Elections have not been taking place for quite some time. We have partly issued directions and partly persuaded the BCI, which has been cooperative and willing to ensure that elections are held. Let us all assist so that this democratic institution is restored,” Justice Kant stated.

The Court also recorded that the election for the Uttar Pradesh State Bar Council would be completed by January 31, 2026.

“It has been informed that the notification for UP elections will be issued shortly. Mr. Mishra has assured that the elections shall be conducted by January 31, 2026. Any genuine objections concerning the voter list shall be examined without prejudice to the rights of the concerned parties to approach the Election Tribunal,” the order reads.

The directions were issued while hearing interlocutory applications in a pending writ petition challenging Rule 32—inserted in 2023 into the Bar Council of India Certificate and Place of Practice (Verification) Rules, 2015. The petition alleges that Rule 32 unlawfully extends the tenure of State Bar Council members beyond the term prescribed under the Advocates Act, 1961.

Earlier, on September 24, 2025, the Supreme Court had ordered that all State Bar Council elections must be completed—either simultaneously or in phases—by January 31, 2026.

Case No.: IAs in Writ Petition (C) No. 1319 of 2023

Case Title: M. Vardhan v. Union of India & Ors.