BCI Seeks Details on Mamata Banerjee’s Advocate Enrolment, Practice Status

New Delhi, May 14, 2026: Bar Council of India has sought detailed information from the Bar Council of West Bengal regarding the enrolment and legal practice status of Mamata Banerjee following reports that she appeared before the Calcutta High Court wearing advocate’s robes and white bands.

In an official communication, the Bar Council of India Principal Secretary Srimanto Sen referred to media reports claiming that Mamata Banerjee appeared in court in full legal attire. The Council noted that the Bar Council of India Rules prescribe specific standards of professional conduct, etiquette and dress code for advocates appearing before courts and tribunals.

The BCI has directed the State Bar Council to furnish complete records related to Mamata Banerjee’s enrolment, certificate of practice, suspension or cessation of practice, if any, and any subsequent resumption of legal practice.

The information sought includes:

•⁠ ⁠Enrolment number and date of enrolment;
•⁠ ⁠Whether her name currently exists on the State Roll of Advocates;
•⁠ ⁠Any intimation regarding suspension or cessation of practice during her tenure as Chief Minister from 2011 to 2026;
•⁠ ⁠Details of any application for resumption of practice;
•⁠ ⁠Status of her Certificate of Practice and related records.

The Bar Council of India has also asked for certified copies of all relevant documents, registers, file notings and correspondence connected with her practice status.

Further, the State Bar Council has been instructed to preserve all original records related to the matter in their present form and avoid any alteration or reconstruction without due legal process and prior intimation to the BCI.

The reply has been sought within two days, on or before May 16, 2026.