Supreme Court Mandates Transparent Elections for State Bar Councils

The Supreme Court has formed a high-powered supervisory committee to ensure fair elections for state bar councils. Retired judges will oversee the process slated to conclude by March 2026 despite challenges like ongoing law degree verification. Various phases are planned, beginning January 2024.

The Supreme Court has mandated a high-powered supervisory committee headed by a retired apex court judge to oversee the elections in 16 state bar councils. This new directive moves to ensure the poll process is conducted in a 'just, fair and transparent' manner.

A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant, Ujjal Bhuyan, and N Kotiswar Singh has ordered that elections be held in phases, with newly elected bar bodies in place by March 31, 2026. The supervisory panel will also include a retired chief justice of the high court and a senior advocate.

The elections will face challenges, including verification drives for law degrees, but the bench emphasized that these should not delay the polls. Universities are tasked with a swift verification process. In the interim, lawyers may vote provisionally. The court has laid out schedules and guidelines to address grievances during the process.