Bar Council Questions Mamata Banerjee’s Legal Practice Status After HC Appearance In Lawyer's Robes

Last Updated:May 14, 2026, 18:45 IST

Among the details sought are Mamata Banerjee’s enrolment number and date of enrolment, whether she remains on the State Roll of Advocates

The Bar Council of India has sought a report from the Bar Council of West Bengal on the enrolment status of former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee after she appeared before the Calcutta High Court wearing lawyer’s robes.

In a letter dated May 14, the BCI asked the state bar council to verify from its official records whether Banerjee is enrolled as an advocate, whether her name continues to be on the State Roll of Advocates, and the current status of her legal practice.

The communication, issued by BCI principal secretary Srimanto Sen, referred to the rules governing professional conduct, etiquette and dress prescribed for advocates appearing before courts and tribunals.

It also took note of Banerjee having held the constitutional office of chief minister from 2011 to 2026.

“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," the letter said.

The state bar council has been directed to furnish the information within two days, by May 16.

Among the details sought are Banerjee’s enrolment number and date of enrolment, whether she remains on the State Roll of Advocates, and whether she had intimated any voluntary suspension or cessation of legal practice during her tenure as chief minister.

The BCI has also asked whether she subsequently applied for resumption of practice and if such a request was formally accepted or recorded.

The letter further seeks clarification on whether any certificate of practice or practice-status record exists in Banerjee’s name, and if so, whether it is active, suspended or otherwise.

It has also asked the state bar council to indicate whether any order, entry, communication or record exists relating to her entitlement to practise law during or after her term in office.

The BCI has instructed that the response be based strictly on contemporaneous official records, including enrolment registers, the State Roll, certificates of practice, suspension or cessation records, resumption applications, inward registers and related file notings. Certified copies of all relevant documents have also been sought.

Pending submission of the reply, the state bar council has been directed to preserve all original records in their present form.

“No alteration, correction, overwriting, interpolation or reconstruction of any record relating to the above subject may be undertaken except in accordance with law and after due intimation to the Bar Council of India," the letter said.

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