The Supreme Court has appointed its former judge, L Nageswara Rao, to head a committee tasked with recommending electoral reforms in the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA).

A bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice K V Viswanathan noted that Justice Rao had graciously agreed to chair the committee, which will also propose eligibility criteria for candidates contesting the SCBA executive committee elections.

“In continuation of previous deliberations and orders, Justice L Nageswara Rao, former judge of this court, has agreed to chair the committee to recommend guidelines and amendments to the SCBA’s bye-laws regulating executive committee elections,” the bench stated in its order dated February 24.

The court further clarified that the proposed reforms would include eligibility conditions for contesting elections. The committee will comprise senior and experienced advocates, including both advocates-on-record and non-advocates-on-record, provided they have never expressed interest in contesting SCBA elections as office bearers.

The apex court has granted two weeks for bar members to submit names for the committee, which will be directly reviewed by Justice Rao. It also granted him full discretion to select committee members from the suggested names or independently form his own team if no recommendations are made.

Additionally, the committee may seek suggestions from members of the bar or other stakeholders to ensure a comprehensive approach to electoral reforms.

The matter is scheduled for hearing on April 7.

Previously, the Supreme Court had sought suggestions on the committee’s leadership from senior advocates Vikas Singh (former SCBA president) and Kapil Sibal (incumbent senior advocate). The bench had initially considered appointing a former Supreme Court judge elevated from the bar, including former Chief Justice U U Lalit and former judges Indu Malhotra and L Nageswara Rao, all of whom were widely respected within the legal fraternity.

Notably, on May 2, 2024, the Supreme Court had ordered 33% reservation for women in the SCBA executive committee.