In a significant development for the legal fraternity, the Delhi High Court on Monday directed the Bar Council of Delhi to conduct its long-pending elections in line with the Supreme Court's nationwide directive. The order, passed by Justice Mini Pushkarna, came after a petition filed by advocate Zahid Ali, who appeared in person, sought immediate elections to restore democratic functioning in the state bar body.
Background
Zahid Ali’s writ petition urged the court to compel the Bar Council of Delhi (BCD) to initiate fresh elections, arguing that the body had overstayed its tenure and continued to function without a validly elected council.
"The democratic representation of advocates cannot be put in abeyance indefinitely," Ali told the court, emphasizing the stagnation within the council.
Read also:- Supreme Court Directs Bar Council of India to Ensure State Bar Council Elections by January 2026
While the Bar Council of Delhi did not appear in the proceedings, the court took note of the Supreme Court's recent order in M. Varadhan vs. Union of India & Anr. (W.P. (C) No. 1319/2023), dated September 24, 2025. That order had expressed serious concern over the prolonged absence of elections across several State Bar Councils - some of which, the apex court remarked, had not seen elections "for decades."
Court's Observations
Justice Pushkarna observed that the directions issued by the Supreme Court were categorical and binding. The apex court had instructed the Bar Council of India to ensure that elections in all State Bar Councils be conducted "in a phased manner and concluded latest by 31st January 2026."
Quoting directly from the Supreme Court’s order, Justice Pushkarna noted:
"In the event of any reluctance shown by any State Bar Council in giving effect to our above orders, the Bar Council of India is directed to submit a status report by 31.10.2025. In that case, we will consider as to what recourse ought to be adopted against those errant State Bar Councils."
This, the High Court said, left no room for ambiguity.
"It is manifest that the elections of all the State Bar Councils are to be held in a phased manner and concluded latest by 31st January, 2026," the order recorded.
During the brief hearing, Justice Pushkarna emphasized the importance of compliance, remarking that
"the Bar Council of Delhi is enjoined upon to follow the Supreme Court's directions in letter and spirit." The judge also directed that a copy of her order be sent to the Office of the Bar Council of Delhi for immediate action.
Decision
Concluding the proceedings, the court disposed of the writ petition with a firm direction: the Bar Council of Delhi must ensure that its elections are held and completed by January 31, 2026, in accordance with the Supreme Court’s timeline.
The bench did not delve into the petitioner’s other submissions, noting that the Supreme Court’s ongoing supervision in the M. Varadhan case already covered the issue comprehensively.
As the order was pronounced, Zahid Ali - representing himself - expressed satisfaction, saying outside court,
"This isn’t just about one council; it’s about restoring accountability across the country’s legal institutions."
The court’s directive marks an important step toward re-establishing representative functioning within the Delhi legal community, which has awaited fresh elections for several years. Whether the Bar Council of Delhi complies promptly or requires further judicial nudging will likely become clear in the coming months.
Case Title: Zahid Ali vs. Bar Council of Delhi & Another
Date of Order: 6th October, 2025
