"We are proud that three women lawyers elected as Sr. Executive Members", Supreme Court refuses to interfere with SCBA results

The supreme court today said that it is a matter of pride for it that three women lawyers were elected as senior executive members of the Supreme Court Bar Association whose elections were held two days back on May 20.

With this view, the top court refused to interfere with the election of Senior Executive members of the SCBA.

The issue was mentioned today morning before a bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh which exclaimed that the matter was becoming a burden for the court now.

"Make a mention when matter comes..", Justice Kant went on to direct the counsel before it.

Court while hearing a plea challenging the elections on the ground that the principle laid down in the judgment of SCBA vs. BD Kaushik were not followed told the counsel, "Let's not be very greedy now..our object was to ensure representation...it is only if the women candidates do not make it to the list then you keep going down..this is a matter of pride for us that three women have made it on merit..very graciously the bar has been accepting our suggestions..this time even the secretary is a woman..".

The bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and KV Vishwanathan further told the petitioner before it, "Counsel your understanding of the order is wrong..We are proud that three of our sisters have made it..we want your representation..we want that women must have that instinct to compete..I will not use the word reservation..you need representation..if you win very good, otherwise there has to be women representation..".

Referring to the elections last year, court clarified that last year the problem was that women were not getting elected. "This time very effective representation has come..this shows a very liberal and pragmatic approach. The bar has gone on the merit of the candidates and not if they are male or female..", it added.

While concluding the matter for the day, court said that the petition will now be taken up in July post the vacations when other administrative issues would be considered. The bench has also asked lawyers to put in their suggestions in the meantime.

Case Title: SCBA vs. BD Kaushik