Mamata Banerjee, Former West Bengal CM, appeared as an Advocate before Calcutta High Court.
Bar Council of India Seeks Records of Mamata Banerjee’s Advocate Status: NEW DELHI/KOLKATA — The Bar Council of India (BCI) has launched an official inquiry into the professional standing of former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after she recently appeared before the Calcutta High Court donning the traditional robes of an advocate.
In a formal communication issued on May 14, 2026, the BCI directed the Bar Council of West Bengal to produce comprehensive records regarding Banerjee’s enrollment and practice status within 48 hours.
The Catalyst: An Appearance in Advocate Robes
The inquiry follows Banerjee’s recent appearance in court, where she was seen wearing advocate attire. The BCI, the apex regulatory body for the legal profession in India, noted that the BCI Rules mandate strict standards for professional conduct, etiquette, and the specific dress code required for appearances before the Supreme Court, High Courts, and subordinate tribunals.
Given that Banerjee held the constitutional office of Chief Minister from 2011 to 2026, the BCI is investigating whether her entitlement to practice law was legally maintained, suspended, or properly resumed following her tenure.
READ: Former West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Donns Robes to Argue Post-Poll Violence Case
Key Information Sought by the BCI
The BCI’s Principal Secretary, Srimanto Sen, has requested the State Bar Council to verify the following details from official records before the May 16 deadline:
Enrollment Details: Banerjee’s official enrollment number and the date she was admitted to the State Roll of Advocates.
Status During Tenure: Whether she provided any formal intimation of voluntary suspension or cessation of practice while serving as Chief Minister.
Resumption of Practice: Whether any application for the resumption of her legal practice was filed, accepted, or recorded after she left office.
Certificate of Practice (COP): The current validity of her practice status—whether it is active, suspended, or otherwise.
Preservation of Records
In a move to ensure the integrity of the investigation, the BCI has issued a “freeze” on all related documentation. The State Bar Council has been strictly instructed to preserve all original records, including:
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Enrollment registers and inward receipt registers.
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File notings and communication logs.
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Suspension and resumption records.
The BCI warned against any “alteration, correction, overwriting, or interpolation” of these records during the inquiry period.
The Legal Context
Under Indian law, an advocate cannot actively practice while holding a salaried position or a constitutional office that constitutes “engagement in a profession or business” other than the law. Typically, advocates who enter public office or other employment must voluntarily suspend their license and apply for resumption once they vacate that office.
While the BCI stated it is not expressing an opinion on the “permissibility” of her appearance at this stage, the outcome of this factual verification will determine if the former Chief Minister faces any disciplinary action for potentially violating professional standards.
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