Supreme Court Issues Notice In Plea Seeking Constitution Of State Bar Council In Jammu & Kashmir And Ladakh

A Bench comprising Justices D.Y. Chandrachud and J.B. Pardiwala issued notice to the concerned authorities.

The petition argued that the entire legal fraternity in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has no Government established body where they can get themselves enrolled. They are also deprived of the benefits that lawyers of the other states get from their respective Bar Councils.

"It is important to note that currently the members of the Legal Fraternity take the membership of Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association and all their grievances are dealt by the above mentioned Bar Association but due to the system of "Darbar Move" the members of the Legal Fraternity are facing various difficulties due to which its get difficult for them to practice in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh," the plea states.

Contending that due to non availability of State Council, the Advocates are deprived of applying for proximity cards for appearing before the Top Court. The petitioner has also sought directions regarding issuance of proximity cards to Advocate members from Jammu & Kashmir & Ladakh who wish to appear before the Apex Court.

Supriya Pandita in her petition has further contended that the Bar Council of India on February 6, 2017 had stated before the Apex Court that it had approved the J&K State Bar Council Rules but irrespective of the same, BCI has not made any efforts to establish the State Bar Council.

The petition has been filed through AOR Om Prakash Parihar.

Case Title: Supriya Pandita v UOI & Ors| Diary No. 17380 of 2022