The Bar Council of India (BCI) has issued an urgent direction to the State Bar Council of West Bengal to furnish detailed information regarding the enrolment and practice status of Ms. Mamata Banerjee, the former Chief Minister of West Bengal. The directive follows media reports that Ms. Banerjee appeared before the High Court at Calcutta on May 14, 2026, donning advocate’s robes and white bands.
The Bar Council of India, a statutory body established under the Advocates Act, 1961, noted that Ms. Mamata Banerjee, who served as the Chief Minister of West Bengal from 2011 to 2026, appeared in legal attire before the Calcutta High Court. The BCI highlighted that the Bar Council of India Rules prescribe specific standards of professional conduct and etiquette, including the “Form of Dresses or Robes to be Worn by Advocates” under Part VI, Chapter IV. These rules govern the attire for advocates appearing before the Supreme Court, High Courts, and other judicial or quasi-judicial bodies.
BCI’s Directives and Factual Verification
In its communication to the Secretary of the State Bar Council of West Bengal, the BCI stated that while it is not expressing an opinion on the permissibility of her appearance at this stage, the factual status of her enrolment and practice must be verified given the constitutional public office she held for 15 years.
The BCI has directed the State Bar Council to provide the following details within two days (by May 16, 2026):
- Enrolment Particulars: Her enrolment number and the specific date of enrolment with the State Bar Council of West Bengal.
- Current Roll Status: Whether her name continues to be on the State Roll of Advocates maintained by the Council.
- Suspension of Practice: Whether she provided any intimation regarding the voluntary suspension or cessation of practice at any point during her tenure as Chief Minister (2011–2026).
- Resumption of Practice: Whether any application for resumption of practice was submitted and subsequently accepted or taken on record by the State Bar Council.
- Certificate of Practice: Whether a valid and active Certificate of Practice (COP) or relevant practice-status record exists in her favor.
Preservation and Authentication of Records
The BCI has mandated that the information provided must be based strictly on “contemporaneous official records,” including the State Roll, enrolment registers, and inward/receipt registers. The Secretary of the State Bar Council is required to certify that the copies furnished are true copies of original records maintained in the ordinary course of business.
Furthermore, the BCI issued a strict warning regarding the integrity of the evidence:
“Pending submission of the reply, the concerned original records shall be preserved in their present form and no alteration, correction, overwriting, interpolation or reconstruction of any record relating to the above subject may be undertaken except in accordance with law and after due intimation to the Bar Council of India.”
The matter has been marked as urgent, requiring a response within 48 hours of receipt of the letter.
