The Supreme Court, on Monday, issued a directive to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to conduct its bar association elections by March 31. The bench, consisting of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh, instructed the registrar general of the NGT to appoint an election committee and a returning officer selected from senior bar members who are not participating in the election.
This decision comes after senior advocate ANS Nadkarni highlighted that the NGT Bar Association has not held elections for the past six years. In a significant move on January 20, the court also mandated that 33% of the seats be reserved for women lawyers, extending a similar policy it had previously set for the Delhi High Court Bar Association.
The court’s determination to increase female representation in legal bodies was further emphasized by its exemption for lawyers from the requirement of providing an undertaking to the Bar Council of Delhi to vote in the upcoming NGT elections. This is part of a broader initiative by the top court to enhance the role of women in key legal positions.
Previously, on December 18, the Supreme Court had directed that three positions be reserved for women lawyers in the Delhi High Court Bar Association elections. It also specified that in district bar association elections, the position of treasurer plus 30% of other executive committee posts should be reserved for women.
Moreover, the Supreme Court’s directives have progressively aimed at enhancing female participation across various legal bodies. On September 26, it was decreed that the post of treasurer, among others, should be specifically reserved for women within the Delhi High Court Bar Association.
The Supreme Court has been consistent in its approach to fostering gender equity within the legal profession. Last year, it ruled that 33% of posts in the Supreme Court Bar Association’s executive committee should be reserved for women, reflecting its commitment to increasing female representation in legal governance structures.
