Supreme Court warns it will suspend bar associations that fail to meet 30% quota for women lawyers

The Supreme Court recently warned bar associations across the country to ensure 30 per cent representation for women in their governing bodies or face suspension and fresh elections [Deeksha K Amrutesh v. State of Karnataka].

A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi made it clear that non-compliance with its earlier order dated March 13, 2026 would invite strict consequences.

"We also deem it necessary to issue a word of caution and a stern warning that wherever the Bar Associations have failed to comply with, or shall be found to have defied, the directions issued hereinabove, such Bar Associations shall be liable to be suspended through a judicial order and fresh elections shall be directed to be conducted."

The Court also directed the Registrars General of all High Courts to communicate the order to bar associations and submit reports identifying those that have not complied or are reluctant to comply with the mandate.

In its March 13 order, the Court had directed that at least 30 per cent of office bearers or executive members in all bar associations - including district, taluka and specialised forums - must be women.

It noted that while several bar associations, including those in the Supreme Court and some High Courts, had implemented the requirement, the benefit of representation had not percolated to all levels, particularly in sub-divisional and specialised Bar bodies.

To address this, the Bench directed High Courts to ensure compliance across all bar associations within their jurisdiction. It also clarified that where the number of women lawyers in a bar association falls short of 30 per cent, those available should still be included in the governing body.

Importantly, the Court had provided a fallback mechanism: where sufficient women candidates do not contest elections, district judges were authorised to nominate women members to the executive committees to meet the quota, with compliance reports to be submitted to the High Courts and then to the Supreme Court.

In its April 16 order, the Court slightly modified this mechanism, directing that such nominations would now be made by the administrative or portfolio judge of the High Court, in consultation with relevant stakeholders including district judges and senior women members of the Bar.

The Court granted time to collate compliance data from various High Courts, but reiterated that the objective of its earlier directions was to ensure meaningful and uniform representation of women lawyers across bar associations nationwide.

The matter is scheduled to be heard next on May 12, 2026.

The petitioners were represented by Senior Advocates Nalina Mayegowda, Jayna Kothari, Anindita Pujari and Lakshmy Iyengar

Senior Advocate Guru Krishna Kumar also appeared for intervenors.

The respondents were represented by Additional Advocate General Aman Panwar with Advocates Sanchit Garga, Kunal Rana, Shashwat Jaiswal, Abhinav Kumar, Manav Kaushik and H Chandra Sekhar.

[Read Order]