New Delhi, Sep 24 (UNI) The Supreme Court today directed the Bar Council of India (BCI) to ensure that elections to all state bar councils are conducted by January 31, 2026.
A bench comprising Justice Surya Kant, Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, and Justice N. Kotiswar Singh observed that many state bar council elections have not been held for over a decade, and verification of advocates’ degrees cannot be a valid ground to delay the polls.
Senior advocate Madhavi Diwan, for the petitioners, pointed out that elections have not been held in most states for more than two years, and only 14 out of 23 states have entered appearance in the matter.
The court warned that if any state bar council shows reluctance, the BCI must submit a status report by October 31, 2025, failing which the court may appoint a commission to conduct the elections.
Justice Surya Kant recorded in the order: “Irrespective of verification of enrolments, elections of all State Bar Councils shall be held by December 31, 2025. On request, we extend the deadline to January 31, 2026.”
The matter was adjourned.
