New Delhi: After former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee appeared in advocate’s robes before the Calcutta High Court Thursday morning, the Bar Council of India wrote to the state Bar Council seeking details of her enrollment and practice status—within two days.
The Trinamool Congress chief, who suffered a massive defeat at the hands of the BJP after 15 years as CM, appeared before the HC bench, urging it to “protect the people of Bengal”, declaring that “this is not a bulldozer state”.
The court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in connection with post-poll violence that alleged police inaction and violence inflicted on the TMC office. The PIL has sought a transfer of post-poll violence litigation to a larger five-judge bench.
Before the bench, Mamata claimed that despite widespread post-poll violence, including bulldozer action, the state police were refusing to lodge FIRs. “As a lawyer I am fighting this case,” she said, urging “immediate protection of the people” who were being “looted in front of the police”.
Hours after her appearance went viral on social media, the BCI, which is the statutory body governing advocates across the country, sent a two-page letter to the state Bar Council saying: “It has been brought to the notice of the Bar Council of India, through various media reports, that Ms. Mamata Banerjee, former Chief Minister of West Bengal, appeared today before the Hon’ble High Court at Calcutta wearing advocate’s robes/legal attire, including white bands”.
It cited part VI, Chapter IV of the Bar Council of India Rules, which pertains to how advocates must dress when they appear before the Supreme Court, High Courts, subordinate courts, tribunals etc.
“Ms. 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,” the letter, accessed by ThePrint, said.
As Mamata emerged from the court premises, a section of lawyers raised slogans referring to her as a “thief”.
During the hearing, the court called for detailed affidavits from the involved parties, adding that the petitioners’ request to transfer the post-poll violence litigation to a larger five-judge bench will only be evaluated at a later stage, after these affidavits are submitted.
“The police shall ensure that if any citizen irrespective of his/her party affiliation, is illegally thrown out of his shop/house/property etc. due to post poll violence, he/she shall be given a safe return to his shop/house/property etc,” the bench added.
(Edited by Gitanjali Das)