Authority: Supreme Court of India
Order Date: 18-09-2026
Case Overview
- Petition: Writ Petition (Civil) No.805/2025 filed by Seema Joshi against Bar Council of India & others, with Special Leave Petition (SLP) No.34428/2025.
- Respondents: Bar Council of India, Union of India, and others; Ministry of Women and Child Development added as respondent No.5 by order.
- Counsel: Petitioner's team led by Ms. Sneha Kalita (AOR) and senior advocates; Respondents represented by M/s. Ram Sankar & Co and Additional Solicitor General for the Union of India.
- Issue: Application (IA No.199259 of 2026) sought impleadment of the Ministry to address applicability of Gender Sensitisation and Sexual Harassment Regulations across courts and tribunals.
- Court examined the 2013 Sexual Harassment of Women at the Supreme Court Regulations, noting they are limited to Supreme Court precincts.
Final Outcome
- The Court allowed the application and impleaded the Ministry of Women and Child Development as respondent No.5.
- Petitioner's counsel instructed to file an amended memorandum of parties.
- Additional Solicitor General submitted that a counter‑affidavit would be filed on the same day and will be taken on record.
- The Court observed the need for a separate set of regulations covering High Courts, District Courts, Tribunals, and other quasi‑judicial bodies, as the 2013 regulations cannot be directly applied.
- The Court directed the parties to hold a joint consultation to draft such unified regulations.
- Bar Council of India counsel agreed to seek instructions and to ascertain from State Bar Councils whether any existing regulations are in force.
- The matter was listed for further hearing on 25‑11‑2026.
Topics: Gender Harassment Regulation, Legal Profession, Judicial Administration