Supreme Court seeks response of Centre, states on PIL seeking 30% quota for women lawyers in govt panels

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notice to the Centre, all states and union territories (UTs) on a plea for fixing a 30 per cent quota for women lawyers in government panels and law officer positions.

A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi sought a response from the Centre after hearing senior advocate and Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president Vikas Singh, along with advocate Varun Singh.

The PIL was filed by Ladli Foundation Trust, which sought a direction to the Centre, state governments, and public sector undertakings (PSUs) to implement a minimum 30 per cent quota for women across all legal tiers, from Supreme Court panels to local legal aid authorities.

It was contended that despite women joining law schools in record numbers, structural barriers continue to hinder their professional advancement.

The petitioner said it moved the apex court seeking a direction for a minimum of 30 per cent reservation/representation for women advocates in all governmental panels, including but not limited to Supreme Court panels, high court panels, government law officer positions, legal aid panels and all central and state government/Public Sector Undertaking empanelment.

The plea was intended to secure effective enforcement of the fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14, 15(3), 19(1)(g) and 21 of the Constitution.