Former West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee leaves after appearing before the Calcutta High Court to hear a case related to alleged post-election violence and attacks on party offices in Calcutta on May 14, 2026. Photo credit: PTI
The Bar Council of India (BCI) on Thursday (May 14, 2026) asked the Bar Council of West Bengal to submit details regarding the enrollment and practice of former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after she appeared before the Calcutta High Court in the garb of an advocate.
A senior Trinamool Congress leader came to the court to discuss the case in connection with the post-election violence and alleged attacks on party offices.
“Ms. Banerjee served as Chief Minister from 2011 to 2026. In view of the constitutional public office she held during the said period and without expressing any opinion at this stage on the admissibility or inadmissibility of such performance, the Bar Council of India requires the factual status of her enrollment, practice, suspension, if any, and reinstatement, if any,” to be verified by letter from the Chief Secretary of the BCI, the Senate, which issued BCI.
The BCI directed the West Bengal Bar Council to provide details such as Ms Banerjee’s registration number, the date of her enrollment in the West Bengal Bar Council and whether she “gave any indication of voluntary suspension / suspension of practice / cessation of practice” at any time during her tenure as West Bengal Chief Minister.
BCI also requested certified copies of all relevant records, including registration registers, practice certificate records, internal registers, correspondence and records. He ordered that the records be verified by the Secretary of the State Bar Council and made available for inspection if necessary.
(With PTI inputs)
Published – 14 May 2026 17:33 IST
