The Uttarakhand High Court on Friday heard a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking inclusion of caps in the official dress code for lawyers, citing cold weather conditions in the hill state and local cultural customs.
The PIL was filed by advocate Vinod Nautiyal, who argued that forcing individuals to remove their caps inside courtrooms amounts to a violation of fundamental rights. He recalled a 2001 incident when senior minister Narayan Ramdas was reportedly asked to remove his white Gandhi cap before entering the High Court while appearing in a case, sparking controversy at the time.
Nautiyal’s petition contends that advocates should be permitted to wear black or any other coloured caps inside courtrooms, and has urged the Bar Council of India (BCI) to amend its rules to officially include caps as part of the prescribed dress code for lawyers.
Highlighting the climatic and cultural context of Uttarakhand, Nautiyal submitted that in the hilly regions, the cold weather makes caps a necessity, while traditional headgear is also commonly worn during occasions of mourning or celebration.
He further pointed out that members of the Sikh community are allowed to wear turbans in court, and therefore, similar consideration should be extended to advocates wishing to wear caps.
The High Court took note of the arguments and is expected to deliberate further on the matter.
