The Supreme Court on Monday called for 30 per cent of posts in governing councils of district bar associations across Karnataka to be reserved for women lawyers [Deeksha M Amruthesh v. State of Karnataka and ors]..The top court had earlier issued such directives in relation to the Advocates Association Bengaluru (AAB) elections.In an order passed on January 24 this year, the Court had ordered that the post of Treasurer be earmarked exclusively for women candidates. It also directed the high powered committee and chief returning officer for the AAB elections to consider providing 30 per cent reservation for women lawyers in the governing council of the AAB. The Bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh today observed that the AAB's elections have been conducted in line with its earlier directives. On January 28, the Court was informed that the AAB had implemented the suggested 30 per cent reservation for women lawyers in its governing council. .The Court today noted that elections to various other district bar associations are pending. It proceeded to opine that directives for women's reservation implemented for the AAB should be implemented in all Bar body elections across Karnataka. "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," the Court ordered. .Meanwhile, the Karnataka High Court also passed an order today endorsing the implementation of similar reservations for women across bar associations in Karnataka.The bench of Justice M Nagaprasanna today passed his order on a plea seeking 33 per cent reservation for women lawyers in the Tumakuru District Bar Association (TBA), after recording the Association's assurance that it would be reserving a Joint Secretary post and two executive council posts for women in the upcoming elections scheduled on April 5. .The TBA's counsel added that the Association's bylaws would also be amended to reflect these changes after the upcoming polls are completed. The Court noted that this is some solace for now, but cannot be viewed as a temporary solution. Justice Nagaprasanna went on to remark that it is time to implement such reservations for women lawyers across all bar associations in Karnataka so that such bodies do not continue to be "old men's clubs.""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. 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," the High Court observed. .No woman should ever lament that notwithstanding that they are half the world, they do not even have half the chance.Karnataka High Court.Senior Advocate Lakshmi Iyengar and Advocate Vidyashree KS appeared for the petitioners before the High Court. Senior Advocates RS Ravi and Vivek Subba Reddy represented the respondents. .[Read Live Coverage]
The Supreme Court on Monday called for 30 per cent of posts in governing councils of district bar associations across Karnataka to be reserved for women lawyers [Deeksha M Amruthesh v. State of Karnataka and ors]..The top court had earlier issued such directives in relation to the Advocates Association Bengaluru (AAB) elections.In an order passed on January 24 this year, the Court had ordered that the post of Treasurer be earmarked exclusively for women candidates. It also directed the high powered committee and chief returning officer for the AAB elections to consider providing 30 per cent reservation for women lawyers in the governing council of the AAB. The Bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh today observed that the AAB's elections have been conducted in line with its earlier directives. On January 28, the Court was informed that the AAB had implemented the suggested 30 per cent reservation for women lawyers in its governing council. .The Court today noted that elections to various other district bar associations are pending. It proceeded to opine that directives for women's reservation implemented for the AAB should be implemented in all Bar body elections across Karnataka. "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," the Court ordered. .Meanwhile, the Karnataka High Court also passed an order today endorsing the implementation of similar reservations for women across bar associations in Karnataka.The bench of Justice M Nagaprasanna today passed his order on a plea seeking 33 per cent reservation for women lawyers in the Tumakuru District Bar Association (TBA), after recording the Association's assurance that it would be reserving a Joint Secretary post and two executive council posts for women in the upcoming elections scheduled on April 5. .The TBA's counsel added that the Association's bylaws would also be amended to reflect these changes after the upcoming polls are completed. The Court noted that this is some solace for now, but cannot be viewed as a temporary solution. Justice Nagaprasanna went on to remark that it is time to implement such reservations for women lawyers across all bar associations in Karnataka so that such bodies do not continue to be "old men's clubs.""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. 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," the High Court observed. .No woman should ever lament that notwithstanding that they are half the world, they do not even have half the chance.Karnataka High Court.Senior Advocate Lakshmi Iyengar and Advocate Vidyashree KS appeared for the petitioners before the High Court. Senior Advocates RS Ravi and Vivek Subba Reddy represented the respondents. .[Read Live Coverage]
