Supreme Court Seeks Bar Council Affidavits on BCI Rule Extending State Bar Council Terms

The Supreme Court asked the Bar Council of India and the State Bar Council to file an affidavit within three weeks in a writ petition challenging Rule 32 of the BCI certificate and the Place of Practice Rules, 2015.

The rule, amended in 2023, permits the BCI to extend the tenure of the State Bar Council members beyond the statutory limit due to delays in verification and electoral roll preparation.

The extension period is up to 18 months. The election must be completed within six months after that.

The Court posted the matter for final hearing on September 24.

[M. Varadhan V Union of India & Anr.]