India Supreme Court hears lawyer verification and women advocates safety pleas

The Supreme Court of India has begun hearing a petition filed by Yogamaya MG that seeks directions to the Bar Council of India (BCI) to establish an all‑India platform for verifying advocates. The proposal calls for a uniform system that records enrolment, educational qualifications and practice status, and for a privacy‑compliant national database coordinated with all State Bar Councils. The petition highlights reports that "around 35‑40% of advocates" may hold fake or unverifiable credentials, stressing that gaps in verification threaten the administration of justice and public confidence.

A separate petition filed by advocate Geeta Jain Aggarwal asks the Court to issue uniform safety guidelines for women lawyers when they visit police stations, especially during late‑night hours. Citing incidents of assault in Karnataka, Gurugram and Noida, the plea argues that the lack of gender‑sensitive protocols creates a chilling effect on women’s ability to practice law. A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta issued notice to the Union and all states, directing them to formulate protective procedures within four weeks, invoking Articles 14, 19(1)(g) and 21 of the Constitution.