The Supreme Court on Monday opened the doors of the ballot room to 112 newly qualified Advocates-on-Record (AoRs), allowing them to participate in the forthcoming elections of the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA).
A Bench led by Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi also extended a final window for other applicants whose paperwork remains incomplete. The Court directed that eligibility forms could still be submitted and verified until 5 PM on May 19.
The proceedings arose from a plea moved by advocate Ritu Rajkumari challenging aspects of the SCAORA election process.
During the hearing, the Court was told that 161 newly qualified AoRs had approached the association seeking membership and permission to vote after an earlier judicial order passed in April. Out of these, 112 applicants were found eligible and cleared to cast their votes.
For those left out due to pending formalities, the Bench instructed the election committee to provide one more opportunity to complete verification requirements. The Court clarified that if the applications are submitted in proper form before the deadline, they may be considered solely for voting purposes in the current election.
The hearing also saw a parallel debate over the relationship between SCAORA membership and membership of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA).
Senior Advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for the SCBA, argued that allowing SCAORA members to vote without being enrolled in the SCBA could create complications in future bar association elections.
He contended before the Bench that members who had not taken SCBA membership should not continue on the rolls, warning that the issue could spill over into voting rights disputes during SCBA elections as well.
Advocate Rajiv Shanker Dwivedi appeared for the petitioner in the matter.
