Reservation for Women in Bar Councils

Reservation for Women in Bar Councils 

In case of Yogamaya M.G. v. Union of India [2025] GCtR 1806 (SC), it was commented on 4 December 2025 as follows : 

"Keeping in view the constitutional ethos, the recent legislative initiatives and the orders passed by this Court from time to time, we expect that the Bar Council of India will construe the existing Rules/framework in such a manner as to ensure that 30% seats in each State Bar Council are occupied by women members. It goes without saying that such an initiative shall also include some of the posts of the office bearers. It is clarified that the relevant Rules shall be deemed to have been amended providing making a provision for such reservation."

This matter was before a 2 Judges' Bench when the Order was passed on 4 December 2025. The nature of jurisdiction is A.32. There is no mention that A.226 was ever invoked by the petitioners to obtain relief from High Court. In this case, 2 intervention applications [IA 297837/2024 and IA 295630/2025] were also filed. 

A brief history of this writ petition filed by Yogamaya M.G. It was filed on 26 August 2024. Then registered on 9 September 2024. Next tentative date is 30 Jan 2026. It has total 21 respondents. 

What is strange in this case is this : on first date, matter was listed before 3 Judges' Bench on 17 September 2024 where then CJI [Dr. DY Chandrachud was the CJI] was part of the Bench. Only notice was issued. Later on, the matter was listed before 2 Judges' Bench. One can ask as to what is the procedure that Bench strength can be changed and what are the rules in that regard. 

Then, Shehla Chaudhary filed writ petition [under A.32] which was heard on 7 November 2025 ; strangely, it was before a 2 Judges' Bench and notice was issued. When on 17 November 2025, Shehla Chaudhary's writ petition was listed, matter was directed [this time also by 2 Judges' Bench] to be listed in January 2026. 

When we look at the Order dt. 26 November 2025 in Yogamaya M.G.'s writ petition, this writ petition was listed before 2 Judges' Bench whereas on the first date of hearing, this writ petition was listed before 3 Judges' Bench which issued notice. 

One thing is clear : Yogamaya's writ petition was filed in the year 2024 before Shehla Chaudhary's writ petition which was filed in the year 2025.