The Supreme Court seeks responses from the Centre, all states and union territories, and other stakeholders on a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a 30% quota for women lawyers in government legal panels and law officer positions. A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi took note of submissions by senior advocate and Supreme Court Bar Association president Vikas Singh, and issued notices to the Union government and state governments as well as union territories.
The PIL is filed by the Ladli Foundation Trust. It asks the court to direct the Centre, state governments and public sector undertakings (PSUs) to implement a minimum 30% reservation for women across legal tiers, ranging from Supreme Court panels to local legal aid authorities. The petition cites evidence suggesting that, although women are enrolling in law schools in increasing numbers, they face systematic barriers to professional advancement.
No final ruling is made at this stage. The notices require replies from the government entities and other concerned parties before the matter is considered further.
