Kolkata, May 14 -- The Bar Council of India (BCI) has sought detailed information from the Bar Council of West Bengal regarding the enrolment and legal practice status of former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after she appeared before the Calcutta High Court in an advocate's robe and white bands.
In a letter issued on May 14, the BCI referred to media reports stating that Banerjee appeared before the High Court in prescribed legal attire, including an advocate's gown and bands. The apex statutory body for advocates said the Bar Council of India Rules prescribe standards of professional conduct and also regulate the dress code to be worn by advocates appearing before courts and tribunals.
Without expressing any opinion on the permissibility of the appearance, the BCI said it required factual verification of Banerjee's enrolment, practice status and any suspension or resumption of practice records maintained by the State Bar Council.
The BCI directed the State Bar Council to furnish within two days details including Banerjee's enrolment number, date of enrolment and whether her name continues on the State Roll of Advocates. It also sought information on whether she had intimated voluntary suspension, suspension of practice or cessation from practice during her tenure as Chief Minister between 2011 and 2026.
The letter further asked whether any application for resumption of practice had been submitted and accepted subsequently, whether any valid Certificate of Practice or related practice-status record exists in her favour, and whether any communication, order or official entry exists concerning her entitlement to practise during or after her tenure as Chief Minister.
The BCI instructed that the information supplied must be based strictly on contemporaneous official records maintained by the State Bar Council, including the State Roll, enrolment register, Certificate of Practice records and suspension or cessation records. It also sought certified copies of correspondence files, inward registers and file notings.
The secretary of the State Bar Council was directed to certify that the copies furnished are true copies of original records maintained in the ordinary course of official business. The BCI further instructed that the original records be preserved without any alteration, correction or reconstruction pending submission of the reply and described
the matter as "urgent".
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.