The Bar Council of India (BCI) has dissolved the Bar Council of Delhi (BCD) and constituted a three-member special committee to take over its functions and conduct fresh elections by January 31, 2026.
The development came about after repeated delays in completing the mandatory verification of advocates and the preparation of electoral rolls.
In a letter issued to the BCD on October 10, the BCI said that Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma would be the chairperson of the committee. Senior Advocate Maninder Singh and advocate Neeraj (President, Central Delhi Court Bar Association) will be the other two members of the committee.
“These directions are intended to restore compliance with binding judicial orders to secure accurate verification and to ensure that the electorate of Delhi is represented by a lawfully elected Council by 31.01.2026 on the basis of a verified and reliable roll. The measure is curative and time bound and is taken after successive extensions and advisories since 28.06.2023 have not produced the necessary results,” the BCI said.
The committee will have full administrative control over the funds, staff and records of the Bar Council of Delhi.
The BCI cited continued “discrepancies, delays and non-compliance” by the BCD despite multiple extensions and directions over the past two years.
Notably, the BCD’s tenure had already been extended in June 2023 for six months due to COVID pandemic-related disruptions, with further allowances made to complete verification of advocates’ degrees and certificates as mandated by the Supreme Court.
However, according to the BCI, the BCD repeatedly failed to meet deadlines for providing verified data and rectifying mismatches in figures, even after being reminded in November 2024 and March 2025.
In its letter, the BCI warned that any obstruction or non-cooperation would be taken seriously. Further, all existing staff will continue under the control of the Special Committee, which will also oversee disciplinary and welfare matters without interruption.
The Supreme Court on September 24 this year had directed that elections to all state bar councils be completed by January 31, 2026, and asked for a status report by the end of October.
[Read BCI Letter]