BCI Seeks Mamata Banerjee’s Advocate Enrolment Records After Calcutta High Court Appearance
BCI seeks records from West Bengal Bar Council on Mamata Banerjee’s advocate practice status.
The Bar Council of India (BCI) has sought details from the Bar Council of West Bengal regarding the enrolment and practice status of former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee after she appeared before the Calcutta High Court wearing an advocate’s robe and white bands in connection with a post-poll violence matter.
In a letter dated May 14, 2026, addressed to the secretary of the State Bar Council of West Bengal, the BCI directed the state body to furnish records relating to Banerjee’s enrolment as an advocate, her practice status, and whether she had suspended or resumed practice during her tenure as chief minister.
The development came hours after Banerjee appeared before the Calcutta High Court in legal attire during proceedings on allegations of post-poll violence in Bengal. Her appearance drew significant public and political attention, with several media reports and videos showing her entering the court premises in a lawyer’s gown.
The BCI, in its communication signed by Principal Secretary Srimanto Sen, said it had taken note of “various media reports” regarding Banerjee’s appearance before the high court “wearing advocate’s robes/legal attire, including white bands".
Referring to the Bar Council of India Rules governing professional conduct and dress code for advocates, the letter noted that the rules prescribe the robes and dress to be worn by advocates appearing before the Supreme Court, high courts, subordinate courts and tribunals.
The BCI clarified that it was not expressing any opinion “at this stage on the permissibility or otherwise of such appearance,” but said Banerjee’s enrolment and practice status needed factual verification in light of the constitutional office held by her between 2011 and 2026.
The State Bar Council has been directed to provide the information within two days, before May 16.
Among the details sought are Banerjee’s enrolment number and date of enrolment with the West Bengal Bar Council, whether her name continues on the State Roll of Advocates, and whether she had at any point intimated voluntary suspension or cessation of practice during her tenure as chief minister.
The BCI has also sought information on whether Banerjee later applied for resumption of practice and whether such a request was accepted or recorded by the State Bar Council. It further asked whether any certificate of practice issued in her favour remains valid, active, suspended or otherwise.
The letter additionally asked the State Bar Council to disclose whether any communication, order or record exists concerning Banerjee’s entitlement to practice during or after holding public office as chief minister.
The BCI directed that the response should be based strictly on “contemporaneous official records” including the State Roll, enrolment registers, suspension or cessation records, resumption records, inward registers and file notings. Certified copies of all relevant records have also been sought.
It further instructed the State Bar Council to preserve all original records in their present form and refrain from any alteration or reconstruction pending submission of the reply.
Under the Advocates Act, 1961, the Bar Council of India is the statutory regulator of the legal profession and is empowered to lay down standards of professional conduct and rules governing advocates’ attire in courts.
Banerjee, who has often foregrounded her legal background in political and constitutional battles, appeared before the Calcutta high court during proceedings related to allegations of violence following elections in the state. During the hearing, she reportedly urged the court to “protect the people of Bengal” and criticised alleged inaction by authorities.