SIR’s shadow over state bar council as 20,000 lawyers, including CM, missing from voter list

State bar council elections have been thrown into controversy after the draft voter list omitted the names of around 20,000 lawyers, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya. High-profile lawyers like MP Saugata Roy and Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee are also missing, sparking anger across the state’s legal community.

Critics allege that the current bar council board deliberately manipulated the list to influence the election. Lawyers from the Trinamool Congress argue that such omissions are not mere technical errors, citing the long-standing bar membership of the Chief Minister and Finance Minister. The ruling party’s legal cell has intensified attacks on the current board over these alleged irregularities.

The voter list issue has revived concerns about outdated records. While approximately 30,000 lawyers were eligible in the 2018 elections, the current draft list again shows only 30,000 names, despite thousands of new lawyers entering the profession over the past few years. Experts say the actual number of eligible voters should be at least 55,000.

‘Certificate of Practice’ requirements have also become a focal point. Supreme Court guidelines mandate that lawyers must renew their certificate every five years to vote or contest elections. Senior lawyers allege that the council has not issued certificates for years, yet some candidates are listed despite lacking valid certificates. Critics question the inclusion of Chairman Ashok Deb while top lawyers are excluded.

A legal challenge has been filed in the Calcutta High Court demanding transparency and corrections to the draft voter list. Justice Krishna Rao has permitted the case to proceed, with hearings scheduled for January 7. Lawyers insist that without correcting the list before the February election dates, the process could be rendered invalid.

District bar associations across the state have expressed outrage and plan protests at the council office. Meanwhile, the Bar Council’s Assistant Secretary Pinaki Banerjee stated that lawyers can submit complaints directly and that any decision on extending registration deadlines will be communicated in due course.