On Tuesday, May 6, the Supreme Court directed that elections for the office bearers of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) will be conducted on May 20, 2025. The Court specified that the elections shall be held using the voter list finalized for the 2024 SCBA elections.

In addition to those already on the 2024 voter list, members who attain eligibility up to February 28, 2025, will also be entitled to vote.

A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and KV Viswanathan issued several important directions, including mandatory reservation for women in upcoming elections. Specifically, the Court ordered that the post of Secretary for the 2025 term be exclusively reserved for women. Furthermore, one-third of the Executive Committee positions—3 out of 9 seats—will also be reserved for women candidates.

The Court also directed that the report submitted by Justice (Retd.) L. Nageswara Rao, which contains recommendations for reforming SCBA bye-laws and election procedures, be made publicly available on the SCBA website. While no legal challenges to the report will be entertained, members are welcome to offer suggestions.

During the hearing, the bench acknowledged that implementing the recommendations of the Justice Rao Committee for the upcoming election may not be feasible. Justice Kant emphasized that reforms should not be imposed mechanically and underscored the importance of engaging with the Bar before implementing structural changes. However, he cautioned that the report must not be indefinitely delayed or ignored by the Association.

"We will not allow your general body to sit over the report," Justice Kant said, in response to Senior Advocate Dr. Adish Aggarwala’s request that the report be referred to the SCBA for consideration. "We will hear you with an open mind, but the final decision will be ours," he added.

Justice Kant also suggested that SCBA consider aligning its election schedule with those of High Court and District Bar Associations.

Senior Advocate Shobha Gupta, appearing in an application filed by Advocate Yogamaya MG through AoR Sriram Parakkat, requested the reservation of the Secretary post for women—rotating from last year’s reservation for the Treasurer position. The bench agreed.

This follows the Supreme Court’s 2024 directive implementing one-third reservation for women in SCBA posts, along with the formation of the Justice Rao Committee to recommend structural reforms.

Case Title: Supreme Court Bar Association v. B.D. Kaushik, Diary No. 13992-2023