The Delhi High Court on Monday issued notice to Bar Council of Delhi (BCD) and the Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) on a plea seeking reservation of at least two seats in the executive committee of DHCBA for women lawyers. .A Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela said that the matter will be heard next on August 12. The PIL will be heard along with another petition which seeks 33% reservation for women in the bar associations of the national capital.The fresh petition in the High Court has been filed by advocate Fozia Rahman..The plea has sought reservations of two seats for women advocates in posts like President, Vice President, Honorary Secretary, Joint Secretary, and Treasurer, on a rotational basis or through any other suitable method that best serves the Bar’s interests and addresses the issue of gender imbalance in the Delhi High Court Bar Association’s decision-making processes.Alternatively, the plea has sought a direction to reserve the post of the president of DHCBA for women lawyers once in every three years.During those years in which the post of president contested by all members of the Bar, the post of secretary or joint secretary must be reserved for women, it was prayed.Rahman argued that there is a lack of gender diversity in the leadership positions of the DHCBA.“Despite the comprehensive framework of Rule 19 of the DHCBA Rules, there remains a notable absence of gender diversity in the decision-making posts of the Association. The significant growth in the DHCBA's membership, currently exceeding 32,000 members, necessitates an adaptation of the organizational structure to better reflect this increased membership and ensure diverse representation,” the plea said.It further said that the petitioner along with around 200 other advocates had made a representation highlighting these issues but no decision has been taken by the respondents yet.
The Delhi High Court on Monday issued notice to Bar Council of Delhi (BCD) and the Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) on a plea seeking reservation of at least two seats in the executive committee of DHCBA for women lawyers. .A Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela said that the matter will be heard next on August 12. The PIL will be heard along with another petition which seeks 33% reservation for women in the bar associations of the national capital.The fresh petition in the High Court has been filed by advocate Fozia Rahman..The plea has sought reservations of two seats for women advocates in posts like President, Vice President, Honorary Secretary, Joint Secretary, and Treasurer, on a rotational basis or through any other suitable method that best serves the Bar’s interests and addresses the issue of gender imbalance in the Delhi High Court Bar Association’s decision-making processes.Alternatively, the plea has sought a direction to reserve the post of the president of DHCBA for women lawyers once in every three years.During those years in which the post of president contested by all members of the Bar, the post of secretary or joint secretary must be reserved for women, it was prayed.Rahman argued that there is a lack of gender diversity in the leadership positions of the DHCBA.“Despite the comprehensive framework of Rule 19 of the DHCBA Rules, there remains a notable absence of gender diversity in the decision-making posts of the Association. The significant growth in the DHCBA's membership, currently exceeding 32,000 members, necessitates an adaptation of the organizational structure to better reflect this increased membership and ensure diverse representation,” the plea said.It further said that the petitioner along with around 200 other advocates had made a representation highlighting these issues but no decision has been taken by the respondents yet.