BCI Seeks Mamata Banerjee's Advocate Status After High Court Appearance

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has initiated a significant inquiry into the professional enrollment and practice status of former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. This action was prompted by her recent appearance before the Calcutta High Court, where she donned advocate's robes and white bands to argue a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) case concerning alleged post-election violence in West Bengal. In a letter dated May 14, 2026, the BCI formally directed the Bar Council of West Bengal to furnish a comprehensive report detailing Mamata Banerjee's advocate status within 48 hours, specifically by May 16, 2026. The request seeks crucial information, including her enrollment number, the exact date of her enrollment with the State Bar Council of West Bengal, and confirmation of whether her name currently remains on the State Roll of Advocates. A key aspect of the BCI's inquiry revolves around her long tenure as Chief Minister of West Bengal from 2011 to 2026. The BCI has specifically asked whether she had, at any point during this period, formally intimated a voluntary suspension or cessation of her practice as an advocate. Furthermore, it seeks to ascertain if she subsequently applied for and received approval for the resumption of her legal practice, and whether any certificate of practice issued in her favor remains valid, active, or suspended. The Bar Council of India clarified that its current stance is neutral, stating that it is not expressing any opinion at this stage regarding the permissibility or otherwise of her appearance in court. Instead, the primary objective is to obtain a factual verification of her enrollment and practice status, particularly given the constitutional public office she held for a significant period. This aligns with the general understanding within the legal fraternity that individuals holding constitutional positions or gainfully employed are typically required to suspend their bar license, which then needs to be revived should they wish to resume practicing law. Mamata Banerjee, who obtained her law degree from Jogesh Chandra College of Law in Kolkata in 1982, informed the Calcutta High Court during her appearance that it was her first time arguing a case before the High Court and that she was doing so in her capacity as a lawyer. She appeared to argue against claims of widespread violence against Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers following the state assembly elections, urging the court to protect the people of Bengal and alleging police inaction. Her appearance generated considerable public and political attention, with various media outlets capturing her entry into the court premises in legal attire. Credible news outlets such as The Hindu, Live Law, LawBeat, Mint, Republic World, LawChakra, Devdiscourse, ANI News, The New Indian Express, Telegraph India, Deccan Herald, Business Today, and The Economic Times have widely reported on this development, corroborating the central claims of the original article. There is no indication of misinformation or exaggeration across these reports, which consistently highlight the BCI's request for factual verification of her legal standing. The Bar Council's rules prescribe specific standards of professional conduct and dress code for advocates, and the inquiry aims to ensure adherence to these regulations given her prior constitutional role. The Bar Council of West Bengal has also been instructed to preserve the original records pertaining to Banerjee's enrollment and practice status in their present form, without any alterations, until the BCI's review is complete.

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