On January 24, the Supreme Court passed an order mandating that the Treasurer’s post in the AAB be exclusively reserved for women candidates
NEW DELHI: Today, 24th March: The Supreme Court of India has directed that 30% of the positions in the governing councils of all district bar associations across Karnataka should be reserved for women lawyers. This decision follows a similar directive given earlier regarding the elections of the Advocates Association Bengaluru (AAB).
The Bench, comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh, observed that the AAB elections were conducted as per these directives. On January 28, the Court was informed that AAB had successfully implemented the 30% reservation for women lawyers in its governing council.
On January 24, the Supreme Court passed an order mandating that the Treasurer’s post in the AAB be exclusively reserved for women candidates. Additionally, the Court had asked the high-powered committee and the chief returning officer overseeing the AAB elections to consider reserving 30% of the governing council seats for women lawyers.
Since elections in other district bar associations were still pending, the Supreme Court decided to extend its ruling across Karnataka.
The Court stated “We direct that our January order will apply mutatis mutandis to all district court bar associations. Thus, let the post of treasurer be reserved for women and 30% of seats in the governing body (be) for women candidates. Each Bar Association shall submit a compliance report to the district and sessions judge.”
On the same day, the Karnataka High Court also passed an order supporting similar reservations for women across all bar associations in the state. The case was heard by Justice M Nagaprasanna in response to a petition seeking 33% reservation for women in the Tumakuru District Bar Association (TBA).
During the hearing, the TBA’s counsel assured the Court that the association would reserve a Joint Secretary post and two executive council positions for women in the upcoming elections scheduled for April 5. Furthermore, the association’s bylaws would be amended after the elections to ensure these changes were permanent.
Justice Nagaprasanna welcomed the assurance but emphasized that the reservation should not be seen as a temporary fix.
He remarked “It is not only morally compelling but legally expedient for all Bar Associations in general (ensure) equal right to women qua their representation in every such bar association which will result in dismantling associations which are hitherto known to be bastions of males or old men’s clubs, as it is generally called.”
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He further added:
“No woman in the nation or association should ever lament that in a nation governed by a vibrant Constitution, notwithstanding that they are half the world, do not even have half the chance.”
Senior Advocate Lakshmi Iyengar and Advocate Vidyashree KS represented the petitioners before the Karnataka High Court. Senior Advocates RS Ravi and Vivek Subba Reddy appeared for the respondents.
[ Case Title: Deeksha M Amruthesh v. State of Karnataka and ors]
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