BCI Exercises Supervisory Authority, Dissolves Delhi Bar Council & Orders Elections Under Special Committee
(By Syed Ali Taher Abedi)
New Delhi, Oct 11 — In a decisive move invoking its supervisory authority under the Advocates Act, the Bar Council of India (BCI) has dissolved the Bar Council of Delhi (BCD) and constituted a three-member Special Committee to oversee its affairs and conduct fresh elections by January 31, 2026, in compliance with the Supreme Court’s directive.
“Subsequent allowances were made under the Bar Council of India Rules including continuance under Rule 32 to avoid a vacuum and to enable completion of verification and preparation of an accurate electoral roll. On 08.07.2025 guidance was issued that day to day functioning could continue while verification was expedited. These steps were temporary and intended only to secure timely and lawful elections.”
The development follows repeated delays by the BCD in completing the mandatory verification of advocates and preparation of electoral rolls—processes deemed essential for conducting valid elections. The Supreme Court, in its order dated September 24, 2025, had mandated that elections to all State Bar Councils be concluded by January 31, 2026, and directed submission of a status report by the end of October.
“By communications dated 05.11.2024 and 05.03.2025 the Bar Council of India pointed out material mismatches in figures supplied by the State Bar Council of Delhi and called for rectified data together with copies of correspondence with universities and boards. Repeated reminders were issued. The shortfall in verified advocates continues and datasets remain either inconsistent or incomplete.”
In a letter issued to the BCD on October 10, the BCI announced the formation of the Special Committee, naming Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma as its Chairperson. The other members include Senior Advocate Maninder Singh and Advocate Neeraj, President of the Central Delhi District Court Bar Association.
“On 08.10.2025 the General Council constituted an Election Committee for Delhi to accelerate verification and roll preparation and issued directions for continuity of verification and timely data submission. Within the immediate review window, it became evident that these directions were not being implemented in letter and spirit. The constitution of the Election Committee did not translate into measurable progress or operational control needed to meet the court fixed timeline. In these circumstances and to prevent further slippage the Bar Council of India is constrained to invoke Section 8A to ensure neutral effective and time bound stewardship of verification and elections.”
The Committee has been vested with full administrative control over the funds, staff, and records of the Bar Council of Delhi. All existing personnel will continue to function under the Committee’s supervision.
The BCI cited persistent discrepancies, delays, and non-compliance by the BCD despite multiple extensions and directions issued over the past two years. Notably, the BCD’s tenure had already been extended in June 2023 for six months due to COVID-19-related disruptions, with further allowances granted to complete the verification of advocates’ degrees and certificates as mandated by the Apex Court.
“The Hon’ble Supreme Court by order dated 10.04.2023 in Writ Petition Civil No.82 of 2023 mandated rigorous verification of genuineness and validity of degrees and certificates of advocates. On 25.05.2025 the High-Powered Verification Committee of the Bar Council of India held a virtual personal interaction with Chairmen, Vice Chairmen and Secretaries of State Bar Councils. The office bearers of the State Bar Council of Delhi were urged to accelerate verification and to remove discrepancies. Despite this interaction there has not been the required improvement in pace or accuracy.”
Despite reminders in November 2024 and March 2025, the BCD allegedly failed to submit verified data and rectify errors in the electoral rolls. The BCI warned in its letter that any obstruction or non-cooperation with the Special Committee would be treated with utmost seriousness.
This intervention marks a significant assertion of the BCI’s regulatory powers and underscores the judiciary’s emphasis on timely and transparent elections within statutory bodies.
