The Supreme Court displayed surprise at a woman lawyer hiring a male advocate for her petition requesting 33% reservation for women in Gujarat bar associations. The bench questioned why she did not represent herself, emphasizing the need for leading by example. The case aligns with ongoing petitions for women’s representation in legal bodies.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday expressed surprise over a woman lawyer engaging a male advocate to argue her petition seeking 33% reservation for women in Gujarat bar associations. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan remarked,
“She wants 33% reservation in a bar body, but she chooses a male lawyer to argue for her. If she can ask for a right of representation in a bar body, we are sure she can represent herself and argue her case.”
The petitioner, advocate Meena A Jagtap, was questioned about why she did not present her case herself. The male lawyer representing Jagtap assured the bench that she would personally argue the matter at the next hearing, scheduled for December 19.
Highlighting the importance of leading by example in advocating for gender representation, the bench stated,
“Why should a lady advocate seeking reservation ride on the shoulder of a male advocate? Why cannot she argue this herself? We would want to know her views directly from her.”
Jagtap’s petition aims to introduce a 33% quota for women lawyers in the elected posts of the Ahmedabad Bar Association. This case aligns with similar ongoing petitions, including those addressing women’s representation in the Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA).
Earlier this year, the Supreme Court set a precedent by directing the implementation of 33% reservation for women in the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) elections for 2024. Despite resistance from some bar associations, the Court has consistently emphasized the need for gender parity in executive committees and office-bearer roles.
The Supreme Court continues to monitor petitions advocating for women’s reservation in bar associations, urging leaders to adopt “pragmatic” and “salutary” solutions to ensure equal representation for women in the legal profession.
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