Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Nominates Susheela, Vijayamma as Co-opted Members to State Bar Council

The Karnataka State Bar Council is now a complete 25-member body. Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru of the High Court of Karnataka has nominated Senior Advocate S. Susheela and Advocate Vijayamma V. as the two co-opted women members, pursuant to the Supreme Court of India's directions in WP (Civil) No. 581/2024 connected with WP (Civil) No. 1060/2025.

What Led to the Nominations?

The Supreme Court had earlier mandated 30% representation for women in State Bar Councils. In the March 11, 2026 general elections, 23 members were elected to the Karnataka State Bar Council from a field of 149 candidates. Only five of the winners were women.

In August 2026, the Supreme Court allowed Chief Justices to co-opt two women members to fill the gap. The co-option was required to be made from among former women High Court judges or senior women advocates with standing at the Bar.

The High Court's notification was issued on September 10, 2026, and the state bar council followed it up with Election Notification No. 4/2026 dated September 11, 2026, issued under Rule 31(1) of the KSBC Election Rules, 1971.

What the Notification Says

The council's notification records:

The following two Women Advocates are nominated as Co-opted Members of the Karnataka State Bar Council.

It also notes the completion of the council's strength:

With the notification of the said 2 women Co-opted Members, totally 25 Members of the Karnataka State Bar Council stands completed.

Among the elected members listed in the notification is P.P. Hegde, who was elected for a fourth consecutive term.

The Road to October 1 Elections

The completion of the council sets the stage for elections to the posts of Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and the council's nominee to the Bar Council of India. Those elections are scheduled for October 1.

The last date for filing nominations is September 22. So far, N. Devaraj and Rajanna have filed nominations for Chairman; Shivamurthy and Shylaja K. have filed for Vice-Chairman; and C.M. Dhananjaya and Shiva Kumar N. have filed for the Bar Council of India nominee post.

The electoral body will consist of the 23 elected members, the two co-opted women members, and the Advocate General.

Effect of the Notification

The nomination completes the council's constitution before the upcoming office-bearer elections. It also gives practical effect to the Supreme Court's direction on women's representation in legal bodies while allowing the elected character of the council to remain intact.

With the two co-opted members in place, the Karnataka State Bar Council is now fully constituted to take up the next stage of its electoral process.