NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed for holding the elections to the office bearers of the Supreme Court Bar Association on May 20. It also ordered for reserving the post of Secretary for women members.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and K V Viswanathan said that the election should be held on the basis of the voter list, finalised in the elections for the year 2024.
Besides, all the members who acquired eligibility up to February 28, 2025 would also be entitled to vote in the polls, the court said.
While reserving the post of Secretary exclusively for women candidates, the court said, one third seats in the executive committee, i e, three out of nine, would be meant for them.
The polls would be held on May 20 and the counting of votes would start after the polling gets over with results on May 21.
The bench directed a report of former apex court judge L Nageshwara Rao, who was appointed by the top court for suggesting reforms in the bye-laws, should be uploaded on the SCBA website.
"No challenge to the report will be entertained. However, suggestions of members will be welcomed," the bench said.
During the hearing, the top court said it might not be possible to implement the report's recommendations as the tenure of the existing SCBA executive committee was coming to an end on May 19.
The bench made it clear to the bar members that it will not direct the implementation of the report without hearing the views of the SCBA.
"For this election, we can continue as per the past practice. But for future polls, we need assistance on why SCBA elections cannot be held on the same day as that of HC, district courts," the bench said.
On May 2, 2024, the Supreme Court had directed for reserving one-third of the posts in the SC Bar Association for women members, saying being a premier institution, it cannot remain static for decades and should reflect timely reforms to meet with the challenges.
"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 had then said.
Three Election Officers have been appointed by the Supreme Court:
1) Sr Adv Pavani Mahalakshmi
2) Sr Adv Jitendra Mohan Sharma
3) Sr Adv Vijay Hansaria
