Delhi HC seeks response of Lawyers’ bodies on plea for reservation of 33 pc of seats for women lawyers in elections

New Delhi [India]: July 18 (ANI): The Delhi High Court’s Chief bench on Thursday sought responses from the Bar Council of India (BCI), Bar Council of Delhi(BCD), Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) and all districts courts’ Bar Association on a plea seeking reserve the 33 per cent of seats for women lawyers in the elections.

The Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan, also comprising Justice Tushar Rao Gedela issued notice to all respondents’ Bar Associations on a plea seeking to reserve the 33 per cent of seats for women lawyers in the upcoming Bar Council of Delhi elections and Delhi High Court Bar Association and All District Bar Associations at Delhi/New Delhi.

The bench fixed August 12, for a detailed hearing in the matter.

Senior Advocate Pinki Anand, appearing for petitioners, submitted that recently, the Supreme Court of India in the matter titled “Supreme Court Bar Association vs B.D. Kaushik” reserved seats for women lawyers in the Supreme Court Bar Association Election 2024, to ensure that lady lawyer representation in Supreme Court Bar Association.

The plea was moved by two practising advocates Shobha Gupta and Sanskriti Shakuntala Gupta stating that in recent years, women have been making great strides in the legal profession; however, despite the high numbers of women entering the legal profession, this is not reflected in the number of leadership positions and high-profile roles taken n by women Attorneys -Law, or becoming the president of Bar Council of Delhi or any Bar associations.

The legal system has not given due recognition to women lawyers for their immense and equal amounts of hard work and dedication despite having all types of obstacles. Since India gained independence, the country has seen a woman Prime Minister, President, and Chief Minister, but there has not been a woman Chairperson of the Bar Council of Delhi (BCD), vice chairperson, secretary, or ordinary member, except for two women in the history of 64 years, and the situation is same in the Delhi High Court Bar Association and District Bar Associations, stated plea

The lack of representation of women lawyers in the Bar Council of Delhi, Delhi High Court Bar Association, and District Courts Bar Associations is burdensome for young women lawyers. Many issues specific to women lawyers can only be fully understood and empathized with by a woman representative in the Bar Council of Delhi, Delhi High Court Bar Association, and District Courts Bar Associations. The only post designated is lady member executive, the women lawyers are not part of the committee or on any effective decision-making post, the plea added.

The Women Reservation Act of 2023 promises women’s reservation in the Indian Parliament, Indian women have entered an era of strong representation and agenda-setting power at a national level..Women’s political participation is receiving recognition, with many holding top positions. Despite obstacles, women have demonstrated their political potential by occupying key posts, the plea read.