'You Don't Continue To Be Democratically Elected, Only A Pro Tem Chairman Of BCI' : Supreme Court To... - Live Law

**Supreme Court questions the five‑year tenure of the Bar Council of India chief, signalling a possible overhaul of the body’s governance structure**

In a hearing that has drawn attention from the legal fraternity, the Supreme Court of India examined whether the President of the Bar Council of India (BCI) can continue to hold office beyond the democratic mandate that originally elected him. The bench, referencing statements made by the Court’s senior counsel, remarked that a BCI chief “does not continue to be democratically elected, only a pro‑tem chairman,” underscoring the need for a transparent, time‑bound tenure. The Court’s scrutiny follows a series of petitions that challenge the incumbent president’s five‑year term, alleging procedural irregularities and a drift from the council’s statutory provisions. *Live Law* reported that the Court’s intervention comes at a time when the BCI’s functioning has been under the scanner for alleged inertia in reforms and internal governance lapses.

Beyond the tenure issue, the Supreme Court has signalled a broader re‑constitution of the BCI. It directed that any major policy decision of the council must now be taken only after consulting the Attorney General of India and the Solicitor General, a move intended to embed greater accountability and to ensure that the council’s actions align with national legal policy. In addition, the Court instructed all High Courts to complete the co‑option of women members to the BCI’s executive committees within two weeks, a deadline aimed at remedying the long‑standing gender imbalance in the council’s composition. The directives were echoed in reports by *Hindustan Times*, *Bar and Bench*, and *LawBeat*, which highlighted the Court’s emphasis on inclusive representation and procedural rigor.

The legal community has welcomed the Supreme Court’s proactive stance, while also cautioning against potential bureaucratic delays. Former BCI officials and senior advocates have expressed that the involvement of the Attorney General and Solicitor General could streamline decision‑making but may also raise questions about the council’s independence. Women lawyers’ bodies, such as the All India Federation of Women Lawyers, have lauded the rapid timeline for women’s co‑option, viewing it as a positive step toward gender parity. The Supreme Court’s next order is expected to outline the exact mechanism for reconstituting the BCI, a development that could reshape the regulatory landscape of the Indian legal profession. *Verdictum* noted that the outcome will likely set a precedent for how statutory bodies balance democratic legitimacy with administrative oversight.