The Supreme Court has reaffirmed that its directive ensuring mandatory representation of women in Bar Associations extends uniformly to every Bar body across Gujarat, irrespective of how the association identifies or labels itself.

In an order dated 8 December 2025, a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant clarified that the earlier direction issued on 9 May 2025—requiring guaranteed representation for women in the Gujarat High Court Bar Association as well as District-level Bar Associations—must be enforced across the State without exception. The Court stressed that no Bar Association can claim exemption based on variations in nomenclature or internal categorisation.

“Order dated 09.05.2025 is clarified to the extent that the representation to be ensured for the women members within the Bar Associations shall apply to all the Bar Associations in the State of Gujarat. No distinction shall be made merely on account of nomenclature of a Bar Association,” noted the Bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi.

This clarification was issued in response to a miscellaneous application in Meena A. Jagtap v. Bar Council of India, where the petitioner sought formal confirmation that the May 2025 directive covered every Bar organisation in Gujarat. After hearing both sides, the Supreme Court removed any ambiguity, confirming that the requirement applies uniformly to all Bar bodies functioning in the State.

For Petitioner(s): Mr. Anil Kumar Mishra, Adv.; Mr. Aditya Jain, Adv.; Mr. Navneet Jha, Adv.; For M/s J & D Law Offices, AOR
For Respondent(s): Mrs. Sumita Ray, AOR; Ms. Disha Ray, Adv.; Mr. Anurag Kumar, Adv.; Mr. Kunal Narwal, Adv.; Ms. Vanshika Singh, Adv.