Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Friday acknowledged the need for a permanent grievance committee for women advocates in State Bar Council offices, calling it a “genuine issue” that the Bar Council of India (BCI) must address.

A bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Bharati Dangre emphasised that the BCI, as a representative body, has a duty to safeguard the interests of women lawyers.

The PIL, filed in 2017 by UNS Women Legal Association, seeks the establishment of a permanent grievance committee for women lawyers in the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa (BCMG).

During the hearing, the BCI counsel informed the court that the BCMG had formed a POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) committee. However, he raised concerns that allowing the POSH committee to adjudicate complaints under the 2013 POSH Act could conflict with the Advocates Act, 1961.

“They have formulated a POSH committee… Now, if that committee adjudicates a complaint, it may create a conflict, as disciplinary action under the Advocates Act requires a separate committee under Section 31,” the counsel submitted.

He sought two weeks to consult with BCI members on the issue. The petitioner’s lawyer countered that the BCMG’s POSH committee only covers staff members, excluding women advocates. She also alleged that both the BCMG and BCI were charging fees for processing complaints.

Noting that the matter has been pending for eight years, the court questioned what steps had been taken so far. The BCI counsel responded that administrative solutions were being explored. The court will hear the case next on February 24.