Kapil Sibal, former Union Minister and senior advocate has been elected as the president of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA). Kapil Sibal secured 1,066 votes, significantly outpacing his nearest competitor, senior advocate Pradeep Rai, who received 689 votes. Incumbent president Adish Aggarwala garnered 296 votes.
Kapil Sibal Elected As The SC Bar Association President For The 4th Time
This victory marks Kapil Sibal’s fourth term as SCBA president, having previously held the position in 1995-96, 1997-98, and 2001. His return comes after a dramatic last-minute entry into the race, announced just before the nomination deadline on May 8. Other newly elected officials include senior advocate Rachna Srivastava as vice president and advocate Vikrant Yadav as secretary.
Kapil Sibal’s win is seen as a triumph for liberal, secular, democratic, and progressive forces. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh lauded the victory, calling it a “big win” for these ideals and suggesting it might signal broader political changes ahead.
Kapil Sibal has just been elected as President of the Supreme Court Bar Association by a landslide.
This is a big win for liberal, secular, democratic, and progressive forces. This is also, in the outgoing PM's words, a trailer for the changes that will happen very soon…
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) May 16, 2024
The election took place against the backdrop of ongoing discussions about reforms within the SCBA. The Supreme Court has emphasized the need for changes, including reserving positions for women and ensuring that regular practitioners have a voice in the leadership.
Kapil Sibal, a Harvard Law School graduate and designated senior advocate since 1983, has had an illustrious career, including serving as Additional Solicitor General of India from 1989-90. His campaign focused on protecting the rule of law and strengthening the SCBA’s independence. The election results were officially declared by May 19, 2024.
