The Bar Council of India has sought official records related to former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as an advocate after she appeared before the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday, 13th May, wearing an advocate’s gown and white bands. Mamata Banerjee appeared at the Calcutta High Court on Thursday in connection with a case related to allegations of post-poll violence in the state.
Our Hon’ble Chairperson Smt @MamataOfficial personally reached the Calcutta High Court today to argue in a matter concerning the widespread post-poll violence unleashed across Bengal by @BJP4Bengal.
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) May 14, 2026
Once again, she has shown what truly sets her apart –
She NEVER abandons the… pic.twitter.com/8OkszMxaYa
The case has been filed by Shirshanya Bandopadhyay, the son of senior TMC leader and advocate Kalyan Bandopadhyay, alleging attack on TMC workers and party offices after the BJP won the state elections. After Mamata Banerjee appeared as a lawyer for TMC in an advocate’s dress, the Bar Council of India wants to know whether she is registered as a High Court lawyer with the Bar Council of West Bengal.
In a letter sent on 14th May to the Bar Council of West Bengal, the BCI said it noticed several media reports mentioning Banerjee’s appearance in court in legal attire. The council said it now wants to check her official enrollment and practice status from the records available with the State Bar Council.
BCI seeks full details
The BCI has asked for Banerjee’s enrollment number, the date she enrolled as an advocate, and whether her name is still active on the State Roll of Advocates. It has also sought details about her Certificate of Practice and whether it is currently active, suspended, or inactive.
The council further asked whether Banerjee had ever informed the State Bar Council about stopping legal practice, suspending it, or restarting it during or after her tenure as Chief Minister between 2011 and 2026.
The letter was issued by BCI Principal Secretary Srimanto Sen, who stated that the council is only seeking factual details at this stage and is not expressing any opinion yet on whether her appearance before the court was permissible under the rules.
The letter said, “Ms. Mamata Banerjee served as Chief Minister of West Bengal from 2011 to 2026. Having regard to the constitutional public office held by her during the said period, and without expressing any opinion at this stage on the permissibility or otherwise of such appearance, the Bar Council of India requires the factual status of her enrolment, practice, suspension, if any, and resumption, if any, to be verified from your records.”
Records to be submitted within two days
The BCI has directed the State Bar Council to provide certified copies of all related documents within two days. These include enrollment registers, State Roll entries, practice-status records, suspension or resumption documents, inward registers, file notings, and all related correspondence.
The council also instructed the Bar Council of West Bengal to keep all original records safe and unchanged until the matter is reviewed. It specifically said that no correction, alteration, overwriting, or reconstruction of records should be done unless it follows legal procedure and the BCI is informed beforehand.
Calling the issue urgent, the BCI asked the State Bar Council to submit its response along with all supporting records as soon as possible.
