The Bar Council of India has directed the Bar Council of West Bengal to furnish details regarding the enrolment and practice status of former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after she appeared before the Calcutta High Court wearing advocate robes on Thursday.
In a letter dated May 14, 2026, BCI Principal Secretary Srimanto Sen referred to the Bar Council rules prescribing standards of professional conduct, etiquette and dress code for advocates appearing before courts, tribunals and other authorities.
The BCI noted that Banerjee had served as Chief Minister of West Bengal from 2011 to 2026 and sought clarification regarding her status as an advocate during and after her tenure in public office.
Noting that she held a high-ranking public office for years, the BCI clarified it isn’t yet ruling on whether her court appearance was allowed. Instead, it is asking the State Bar Council to check its files and provide the facts on when she was enrolled, if her license was ever suspended, and if she officially returned to practice.
The State Bar Council has been directed to submit the information by May 16. Among the details sought are Banerjee’s enrolment number, the date of her enrolment with the State Bar Council of West Bengal and whether her name continues to remain on the State Roll of Advocates.
The BCI has also asked whether Banerjee, during her tenure as Chief Minister, had informed the State Bar Council about any voluntary suspension, cessation or discontinuation of legal practice. It further sought information on whether she subsequently applied for resumption of practice and whether such a request was accepted or officially recorded.
Additionally, the BCI has sought details regarding any certificate of practice or practice-status record issued in Banerjee’s favour, including whether such certificate is presently valid, active, suspended or otherwise.
The letter also seeks clarification on whether any communication, order, entry or official record exists concerning Banerjee’s entitlement to practise law during or after her tenure as Chief Minister.
The BCI directed the State Bar Council to furnish information strictly on the basis of contemporaneous official records, including the State Roll, enrolment registers, certificates of practice, suspension or cessation records, resumption records, inward receipt registers and related file notings.
It also sought certified copies of all supporting documents and directed that the original records be preserved without alteration.
The BCI ordered the State Bar Council to “freeze” all records related to the former Chief Minister, warning against any tampering or reconstruction of files. It emphasized that no changes should be made to her enrolment data without legal justification and prior notice to the national council.
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