New Delhi, May 20:The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought responses from the Centre, all states, and Union Territories on a plea seeking a 30 percent quota for women lawyers in government panels and law officer positions. The matter was heard by a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi.

Senior advocate and Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president Vikas Singh, along with advocate Varun Singh, appeared before the bench to present submissions. After hearing the arguments, the court issued notices to the Centre and other respondents on the PIL filed by the Ladli Foundation Trust.

The petition seeks a directive to the Centre, state governments, and public sector undertakings (PSUs) to ensure at least 30 percent representation for women across all legal tiers, ranging from the Supreme Court and high court panels to local legal aid authorities. The plea highlighted that although women now join law schools in record numbers, structural barriers continue to impede their professional growth.

The petitioner urged the apex court to mandate a minimum 30 percent reservation for women advocates in government panels, law officer positions, legal aid panels, and all central and state government/PSU empanelments, to safeguard and effectively enforce the fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14, 15(3), 19(1)(g), and 21 of the Constitution.