Supreme Court orders states and UTs to fund women-only bar rooms and facilities

In a recent hearing, the Supreme Court instructed all Indian states and Union Territories to finance the creation of women-only bar rooms, washrooms and related basic infrastructure within district and taluk courts. The three-judge bench, comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana, expressed strong disapproval of one outlet absence of such facilities and emphasized that high courts and state governments must ensure them, irrespective of the number of women practitioners.

The court stressed that the mandate must be fulfilled even if it requires additional land or financial resources. This ruling emerged from a petition filed by a group of women advocates highlighting the lack of inclusive and safe working conditions across courts, tribunals and commissions. The matter was scheduled for a further hearing on December 2. Earlier, the apex court had already underscored the need for conditions that allow women lawyers to perform their duties effectively and on equal terms.