Supreme Court Extends Deadline for Punjab & Haryana State Bar Council Elections

Timeline for Election Conclusion Extended to April 2026 Amidst Schedule Modification

In a significant development concerning the electoral process of the State Bar Council of Punjab & Haryana, the Supreme Court of India has issued a revised directive extending the deadline for the completion of the entire election programme. The decision, announced on December 3, 2025, modifies a previous order by extending the timeline from March 15, 2026, to April 30, 2026.

The bench, comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Nongmeikapam Kotiswar, considered an interlocutory application filed by the Bar Council of Punjab & Haryana. After hearing the counsel for the parties involved, the Court decided to amend paragraph 12(III) of its earlier order dated November 18, 2025.

The earlier schedule, which was notified on November 10, 2025, will remain in effect, albeit with the extended timeline to ensure a smoother electoral process. This change comes as a relief to those involved in the election procedure, allowing additional time for the counting of votes and the subsequent declaration of results.

The Supreme Court's intervention underscores its commitment to ensuring fair and transparent electoral processes within legal bodies. The modification aligns with the Court's ongoing directions aimed at facilitating the efficient execution of the elections while accommodating practical challenges.

The interlocutory application, identified as IA No.305931/2025, has been disposed of following the Court's order, signaling a crucial step towards the successful conduct of the State Bar Council elections.

Statutory provision(s): Election schedule modification, Supreme Court directive, Interlocutory Application disposition

M. Varadhan v. Union of India, (SC) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2817228