BCI Asks West Bengal Bar Council To Furnish Practice Records Of Mamata Banerjee After Her Appearance Before High Court
The former CM had appeared today before the Calcutta High Court wearing advocate's robes.
The Bar Council of India (BCI) has issued a direction to the Secretary of the State Bar Council of West Bengal to provide comprehensive information regarding the professional status of former Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, as an Advocate.
This inquiry follows media reports indicating that the former Chief Minister of West Bengal appeared before the Calcutta High Court wearing advocate's robes, including white bands, in a matter concerning large-scale post-poll violence and police inaction under the new state government.
Given that Banerjee held a constitutional public office from 2011 to 2026, the BCI is seeking to verify the factual status of her enrolment and any potential suspension or resumption of legal practice during or after her tenure.
The letter asked the Secretary to furnish, "You are, therefore, directed to furnish the following information in respect of Ms. Mamata Banerjee within a period of two days i.e. before 16th May 2026: i. Her enrolment number, if enrolled with the State Bar Council of West Bengal. ii. The date of her enrolment with the State Bar Council of West Bengal. iii. Whether her name presently continues on the State Roll of Advocates maintained by the State Bar Council of West Bengal. iv. Whether she had, at any point during her tenure as Chief Minister of West Bengal, given any intimation of voluntary suspension / suspension of practice / cessation from practice. v. If any such intimation was given, the date on which it was received by the State Bar Council, along with a copy of the relevant application / intimation and order / noting, if any. vi. Whether any application / intimation for resumption of practice was submitted by her thereafter. vii. If so, the date of such application / intimation for resumption of practice, and whether the same was accepted / taken on record by the State Bar Council."
The BCI's communication emphasized that the Bar Council of India Rules strictly govern professional conduct, etiquette, and the specific dress code required for advocates appearing before various judicial bodies. To resolve this matter, the State Bar Council must provide specific the above mentioned details. Furthermore, the BCI has requested documentation regarding any applications for the resumption of practice and the current validity of her Certificate of Practice.
Further, it asked, "Whether any Certificate of Practice / relevant practice-status record in her favour is available with the State Bar Council, and whether the same is presently valid, active, suspended, or otherwise...Whether any other record, intimation, communication, order, or entry exists in relation to her entitlement to practise during or after her tenure as Chief Minister."
The Secretary of the State Bar Council of West Bengal was required to furnish these records, supported by certified copies and official registers, within a strict deadline of two days, specifically before May 16, 2026.
It said, "Ms. Mamata Banerjee served as Chief Minister of West Bengal from 2011 to 2026. Having regard to the constitutional public office held by her during the said period, and without expressing any opinion at this stage on the permissibility or otherwise of such appearance, the Bar Council of India requires the factual status of her enrolment, practice, suspension, if any, and resumption, if any, to be verified from your records."
The BCI has further directed that all original records must be preserved in their current form without any alterations or reconstructions during this period.
The Bar Council of India Rules lay down, inter alia, the standards of professional conduct and etiquette applicable to advocates. Further, Part VI, Chapter IV of the Bar Council of India Rules, titled "Form of Dresses or Robes to be Worn by Advocates", provides for the dress to be worn by advocates appearing before the Supreme Court, High Courts, subordinate courts, tribunals or authorities, including the wearing of bands and advocates' gowns in the manner prescribed.