A majority of the Supreme Court Bar Association’s Executive Committee members have urged President Kapil Sibal to convene a meeting within seven days, as no meetings have occurred since September 2024, violating SCBA rules. The letter warns of necessary actions if the meeting isn’t called, reflecting growing discontent and pressure on Sibal’s leadership.
New Delhi: A majority of the Executive Committee (EC) members of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) have written to its President, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, demanding an urgent meeting within seven days. The letter, signed by 11 out of 21 members, points out that no EC meeting has been called since September 10, 2024, violating Rule 12 of the SCBA Rules, which mandates meetings at least once every three months.
The letter explicitly warns that if Sibal fails to convene a meeting within seven days, the majority members will take necessary steps to address key issues.
“We the undersigned Majority members of the Executive Committee, SCBA therefore request your good self to call a Meeting of the Executive Committee, Supreme Court Bar Association as per SCBA Rules to discuss important and longstanding issues of the bar within the next 7 days failing which the undersigned majority members will proceed to address all important and longstanding issues of the bar as per Rules,”
the letter states.
The demand has been backed by Joint Secretary Sandeep Singh, Treasurer Sasmita Tripathy, Senior Executive Members and Senior Advocates Shobha Gupta, Jayant Bhushan, Sonia Mathur, and several other EC members.
This is not the first time Sibal has faced resistance from SCBA members.
- November 2024: A SCBA member urged Sibal to fulfill his election promise of introducing a group insurance policy for SCBA members and their families.
- November 7, 2024: Former SCBA President Dr. Adish C. Aggarwala criticized Sibal for not endorsing a resolution to boycott the Supreme Court Museum’s inauguration.
- August 2024: EC members accused Sibal of issuing a resolution on SCBA letterhead without their approval, related to an incident at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Sibal was representing West Bengal in a suo moto Supreme Court case on the same issue. Aggarwala even warned of a no-confidence motion if Sibal did not withdraw the resolution.
- May 2024: Senior Advocate Pradeep Rai sought action against Sibal for attending an election campaign meeting in the Main Bar Room of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in his capacity as SCBA President.
During the SCBA election campaign, Advocate Kumud Lata Das filed a plea before the Supreme Court to cancel Pradeep Rai’s candidature for SCBA President. However, Rai appeared before the court and alleged that the plea was orchestrated by Kapil Sibal. The Supreme Court refused to entertain the plea.
With growing dissatisfaction among the SCBA Executive Committee members, Sibal now faces mounting pressure to convene the meeting and address their grievances. The next seven days will be crucial in determining whether he will retain the confidence of the SCBA leadership.
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