While hearing the case of Bhakti Pasrija and others vs Union of India and others, Justice Surya Kant said that when about 60 percent of the posts in the judicial service of the country are held by women without any reservation, then what is the need for reservation in chamber allotment to them?
Hearing the petition, Justice Surya Kant said, “Almost 60% of the officers in our judicial service are women. They have reached those positions without any reservation. They are not given any preference. It is completely on the basis of merit… So I find it a bit contradictory as to why you ask for any privilege. If we think of giving preferential allotment, for example, in the case of chambers, then we have Particularly able persons will also have to be considered, as we wholeheartedly welcome them into the legal profession.”
The concept of chambers should be abolished
Along with this, Justice Surya Kant said, “The concept of chambers should be abolished. We should have only workplaces.” He further said that a new building is being constructed in the Supreme Court, where we are trying to take care of separate bar room for women, officers’ room, separate canteen, library and all the basic facilities. Justil Kant said that in that new building, facilities like escalator etc. will also be arranged for specially abled persons which will meet the needs for the next 50 years.
Notice to Center for gender-sensitive policy
However, Justice Surya Kant, despite raising questions on the petition, issued notice to the Central Government and others on the petition seeking formulation of uniform and gender-sensitive policy for allotting professional chambers/cabins to women lawyers in various courts and bar associations across the country. In this petition, there has been a demand to give reservation or preference in chamber or cabin for women lawyers in future allotments.
Lawyers with 25 years of experience also discussed
The petition also demanded that chambers should be constructed and allotted on priority to women lawyers who have been practicing in the Supreme Court for more than 25 years and are currently on the waiting list of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA). During the hearing, the division bench also suggested that the focus could also be on providing court-linked crèche facilities for women lawyers, as many young women professionals have to leave their jobs due to family pressure.