State bar associations must follow SC directions, reserve posts for women among office-bearers: Karnataka HC

“Each Bar Association is directed to submit a compliance report to the respective District and Sessions Judge… Therefore, elections to any association today, tomorrow and hereafter, shall be in strict compliance with what the apex court has directed,” the bench added.

The counsel for the women advocates cited the recent case of Deeksha Amrutesh v State of Karnataka, which the Supreme Court had decided in January this year. Invoking the powers granted under Article 142 of the Constitution, the apex court had directed the Advocates Association of Bengaluru to reserve the post of treasurer as well as 30 per cent of seats in the Governing Council for women in the upcoming election, which was ordered to be completed within three weeks. It was argued that the same would be binding on all such associations.

The request for reservation from the Tumakuru Bar Association had been rejected on the grounds that one post of Executive Member was already reserved for women and further decisions would be taken by the incoming committee. It was also argued on Monday (March 24) that earlier in the day, the Supreme Court had directed that its earlier order must be followed by all associations, not just the Advocates Association of Bengaluru.

The court stated, “Every Bar Association I mean, the Bar Association of Bangalore, Bar Associations of benches at Dharwad and Kalaburagi and every district Bar Associations. Those Bar Associations shall bring in such amendment to their bylaws, in accordance with the direction of the apex court and the observations made in the course of this order, without brooking any delay…”

“This should result in dismantling the Associations which were hitherto considered the bastion of the male, or the old men’s club, as it is often referred… Women, in no sphere, should ever lament that they are half the world and do not have even half the chance,” it concluded.