The Delhi High Court has postponed the Shahdara Bar Association elections from May 9 to May 25, citing security concerns. A Bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh, Navin Chawla, and C Hari Shankar is overseeing the process.
NEW DELHI: Today, The Delhi High Court has postponed the elections of the Shahdara Bar Association, which were earlier scheduled for May 9. These elections will now take place on May 25, as per a fresh order passed by the Court on Thursday.
This decision was taken by a Bench comprising Justices Prathiba M Singh, Navin Chawla, and C Hari Shankar, who are currently monitoring the conduct of bar association elections across Delhi.
Earlier this week, the Court had taken note of safety concerns raised during preparations for the Shahdara Bar elections.
The Court had issued directions to the Delhi Police to deploy proper security arrangements at the Karkardooma Court complex, where the elections are to be held.
The Bench stated that “strict action” must be taken against “any group of individuals, lawyers or non-lawyers who may cause disturbance or obstruction to the smooth conduct of the elections.”
Out of all bar associations in Delhi, elections were completed on March 21, except for the Saket and Shahdara Bar Associations.
Retired Justice Talwant Singh, who is currently the Chairperson of the Shahdara Bar Association Election Committee, had recently raised an alarm over the “lack of security“ at the Karkardooma Court premises.
Taking serious note of this concern, the High Court had earlier directed the Delhi Police to confirm whether “adequate security” could be arranged for ensuring the elections are held in a “fair and peaceful” manner.
Earlier, elections were held for all Bar Associations in Delhi on March 21, 2025. But the elections at Saket and Karkardooma courts were cancelled because there were some complaints and allegations about problems in how the elections were conducted. After this, some people filed petitions in the Delhi High Court, asking the Court to take action and solve the issue.
Then, on April 7, 2025, the Delhi High Court passed an important order. The Court said that a special Election Committee will be made. This committee will be responsible for managing the fresh elections in a proper and fair way. The committee will be led by retired judges of the Delhi High Court.
As per the order, Retired Justice RK Gauba has been appointed as the Chairperson for the Saket Bar Association election, and Retired Justice Talwant Singh has been appointed as the Chairperson for the Shahdara Bar Association election.
The High Court also said that the Chairpersons must appoint two Returning Officers for each of the Bar Association elections. Along with that, three more members must be added to every Election Committee so that they can help with the election process.
To ensure proper identity and security for voters, the Court directed a private company named M/s SEC Communications Private Limited to issue new Proximity Cards. These cards must be given to the Chairpersons of the Election Committee by May 2.
The Court made it very clear that:
“There shall be no change in the Nominal Roll and Proximity Card holders list and that no fresh nominations shall be accepted.”
This means that no new names will be added to the list of voters or candidates, and no one new can apply to contest the elections.
During the last hearing, the Court also recorded that the contesting candidates themselves had offered to bear the cost of using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for conducting the elections. The Court noted the submission that “they are willing to cover the cost of using EVMs.”
Additionally, the candidates had requested that only one representative from each side should be allowed inside the court during vote counting.
The Court accepted this and issued a clear direction stating that “only one authorised representative of the contesting candidate shall be allowed in the court during the vote count.”
The Court also made it clear that “any voters standing in support of the candidate shall remain outside the court premises.”
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