The Supreme Court on Thursday indicated that it expects the Bar Council of India (BCI) to ensure 30% reservation for women in the upcoming elections to State Bar Councils, as it heard petitions seeking mandatory women's representation in these bodies.

During the hearing, Senior Advocate Gurukumar , appearing for the BCI, said that implementing such reservation would require amendments to the Advocates Act and that several State Bar Council election processes had already commenced, making immediate changes difficult.

The bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi however, observed that the BCI must interpret its rules in a manner that secures at least 30% representation for women in State Bar Councils and extends such representation to certain posts

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