The Supreme Court, on Friday, gave directions to the Advocates’ Association of Bengaluru (AAB) to reserve the post of treasurer exclusively for women candidates and suggested that at least 30 per cent of the other governing council posts for women lawyers ensure adequate representation.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh which passed the order as an interim measure, keeping in view the AAB’s elections scheduled for February 2, 2025, said the high-powered committee and the chief returning officer shall extend the date for inviting nominations and also defer the date of election, if need be. And they may also consider the desirability of ensuring adequate representation to the women advocates in the governing council to ensure that at least 30 per cent elected members are women. The court also clarified that age criteria (of 10 years and above) would not be considered, as sought by the petitioner’s counsels including senior advocate Lakshmy Iyengar.
It may be recalled that the Karnataka High Court had dismissed the writ petition filed by Bengaluru-based advocate Deeksha N. Amruthesh seeking 33 per cent reservation for women in the upcoming general body elections to the AAB. However, the High Court had dismissed the case on the ground that it does not have the power to alter bylaws and stated the petitioner was at liberty to approach the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court invoked its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution and issued directions similar to those passed in the case of Delhi High Court and District Bar Associations.
Previously, the Supreme Court had directed reservation of three posts for women lawyers in the Delhi High Court Bar Association elections and also the post of treasurer plus 30 per cent of other executive committee posts in District Bar Associations for women lawyers (including those already reserved for women). The application of this order was extended to Delhi's NGT Bar Association, Tax Bar Association and Sales Tax Bar Association.
The general body (office bearers) of AAB, whose term ended on December 19, 2024, was elected in December 2021 and comprises a president, general secretary and treasurer, along with 29 Governing Council (seven from High Court unit, 12 from City Civil Court unit, 5 from Magistrate Court unit, and five from Mayo Hall unit.