NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed for reservation of one-third of the posts in the SC Bar Association for women members, in a historic decision acknowledging the march of females in legal field.
The court said SCBA, being a premier institution, cannot remain static for decades and should reflect timely reforms to meet with the challenges.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant directed that one post of the office bearers of SCBA shall be exclusively reserved for women by turn and on a rotation basis. The court stated that this exclusive women reservation will start with the post of treasurer for the 2024-25 elections, scheduled on May 16.
The counting of votes and declaration of results are fixed for May 18 and 19.
"We are of the view that the SCBA is a premier institution and is an integral part of the highest judicial forum of the country. The norms, eligibility conditions, membership, membership fee structure etc, cannot remain static for decades and timely reforms to meet with the challenges that may confront the institution from time to time, are required to be carried out," the bench said.
"However, such reforms need to be brought after due consideration of the suggestions from the members of the Bar," the bench added.
The court asked the SCBA's executive committee to invite suggestions from all members of the Bar.
"Notwithstanding any resolution passed by the Special General Body of SCBA, some of the posts in the Executive Committee must be reserved for women members of the Bar. We, accordingly, direct that hitherto including for the ensuing election there shall be reservation for women members of the Bar to the following effect:minimum of one third seats in the Executive Committee, i e, three out of nine and minimum one third out of the Senior Executive Members i.e., two out of six," the bench said.
The court also explained though no clarification is required, however, to remove any sort of doubt, it is made clear that reservation is only to guarantee a minimum and women members of the SCBA, subject to their eligibility, should be entitled to contest the election for all the posts in the Executive Committee.
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