SC Appoints Ex-Apex Court Judge To Head Panel On SCBA Reforms

The Supreme Court has appointed its former judge, L. Nageswara Rao, to chair a committee tasked with implementing electoral reforms within the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA).

A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and K. V. Viswanathan announced that Justice Rao had consented to lead the committee, which will establish eligibility criteria for candidates seeking election to the SCBA executive committee.

“Pursuant to prior deliberations and judicial directives, Justice L. Nageswara Rao, former judge of this Court, has undertaken the responsibility of chairing the committee. This committee will develop recommendations on the necessary norms, guidelines, and parameters for reforming and amending the by-laws governing SCBA executive committee elections,” the bench stated in its order dated February 24.

The bench further emphasized, “The proposed reforms may, among other considerations, specify eligibility conditions for election candidates. The committee shall comprise senior and experienced advocates, including both advocates-on-record and non-advocates-on-record, who have never indicated an interest in contesting SCBA elections as office bearers.”

Court has provided a two-week timeframe for bar members to propose potential committee members directly to Justice Rao.

“Justice L. Nageswara Rao retains full discretion in selecting committee members from the proposed list. Furthermore, he is empowered to independently constitute his team should the bar members fail to submit nominations,” the court stated.

Under Justice Rao’s leadership, the panel has been authorized to solicit recommendations from SCBA members and other relevant stakeholders. The matter is scheduled for further hearings on April 7.

Previously, the Supreme Court sought recommendations on the committee’s chairmanship from senior advocate Vikas Singh, a former SCBA president, and the incumbent senior advocate Kapil Sibal. The bench expressed a preference for appointing a former Supreme Court judge elevated from the bar, considering former Chief Justice U. U. Lalit, as well as former Justices Indu Malhotra and Rao, all of whom hold significant regard among both the bench and the bar.

Additionally, on May 2, 2024, the Court mandated a 33 percent reservation of positions in the SCBA executive committee for women, reinforcing its commitment to promoting gender equity within the legal profession.