Bar Council Of India Seeks Mamata Banerjee's Enrolment Details After Former WB CM Appears In Calcutta HC In Advocate's Robes

"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."

Bar Council of India (BCI), in a significant communication dated May 14, 2026, has directed the State Bar Council of West Bengal to furnish the enrolment and practice status of Ms. Mamata Banerjee, the former Chief Minister of West Bengal. The apex regulatory body for lawyers took this step following media reports that Ms. Banerjee appeared before the Calcutta High Court wearing advocate's robes and legal attire, including white bands.

BCI Cites Rules On Professional Conduct And Prescribed Dress Code

The BCI noted that the Bar Council of India Rules lay down the standards of professional conduct and etiquette applicable to advocates. Specifically, the Council referred to Part VI, Chapter IV of the BCI Rules, titled "Form of Dresses or Robes to be Worn by Advocates," which mandates the specific attire for advocates appearing before the Supreme Court, High Courts, subordinate courts, and tribunals.

Ms. Mamata Banerjee served as the Chief Minister of West Bengal for fifteen years, from 2011 to 2026. The BCI highlighted that her appearance in legal attire immediately following her tenure in a high constitutional office necessitates a verification of her current entitlement to practice law.

Inquiry Into Status Of Enrolment And Suspension Of Practice During CM Tenure

The BCI has directed the State Bar Council to provide specific details, including Ms. Banerjee’s enrolment number and the date of her enrolment on the State Roll. A critical point of inquiry is whether her name currently continues on the State Roll of Advocates maintained by the West Bengal Bar Council.

Council Investigates Intimation Of Voluntary Suspension

The regulator has further sought information on whether Ms. Banerjee had, at any point during her tenure as Chief Minister, given any intimation regarding the voluntary suspension or cessation of her legal practice. Under Indian law, advocates holding elective or public offices are generally required to suspend their practice.

Verification Of Resumption Of Practice Post-Tenure

The BCI has asked for records regarding any application or intimation for the resumption of practice submitted by the former Chief Minister after her tenure. The Council specifically requested the date such an application was received and whether it was officially accepted or taken on record by the State Bar Council.

Requirement For Contemporaneous Official Records And Certified Copies

The BCI has mandated that the information provided must be based strictly on contemporaneous official records, including the State Roll, enrolment register, and Certificate of Practice records. The Secretary of the State Bar Council is required to certify that the copies provided are true copies of the original records maintained in the ordinary course of business.

Direction To Preserve Original Records Without Alteration

Pending the submission of the reply, the BCI has issued a strict directive that the concerned original records must be preserved in their present form. The Council warned that no alteration, correction, overwriting, interpolation, or reconstruction of any record relating to this subject may be undertaken except in accordance with law and after due intimation to the BCI.

The State Bar Council of West Bengal has been directed to submit its reply within two days, highlighting the urgency the BCI has attached to the matter.