KOLKATA: The Bar Council of India (BCI) has sought a detailed report from the West Bengal Bar Council regarding the enrolment and professional practice status of former Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee.
The BCI has asked to furnish the report within 48 hours.
This comes after Banerjee, in a lawyer’s gown, appeared before the Calcutta High Court to argue a case in connection with alleged post-poll violence and attacks on TMC party offices.
As per prevalent practice, a person, who was holding a constitutional post or gainfully employed, has to get the bar licence suspended during the service and for practising law again, the same has to be revived, PTI reported.
In a letter, the BCI has directed the secretary of the West Bengal Bar Council to furnish within two days complete records relating to the TMC chief’s enrolment as an advocate, if any, as well as her practice status during and after her tenure as West Bengal chief minister from 2011 to 2026.
The letter was issued by BCI Principal Secretary Sriramanto Sen, who stated that the Council had taken note of “various media reports” claiming that Banerjee appeared in court in legal attire, including white advocate bands.
“Mamata Banerjee served as chief minister of West Bengal 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,” read the communication.
Agencies