Approach the BCI for relaxation of the Dress Code for Lawyers - SC

Case: Shailendra Tripathi vs Bar Council of India and ors

The Supreme Court refused to entertain a plea seeking relaxation of the dress code for lawyers during the summer. Shailendra Tripathi, the petitioner chose to withdraw his plea after Justices Indira Banerjee and V Ramasubramanian asked the petitioner to approach the Bar Council of India (BCI) with his grievance. The bench said that the petitioner is at liberty to approach the SC again if the BCI does not act.

According to the petitioner, the current dress code for lawyers is a colonial legacy unsuited to the Indian climate, particularly during summer in the northern and coastal parts of the country. Dress codes like these cause discomfort and also impose a financial burden due to the need to dry-clean and wash clothes.

The bench remarked we sympathize with you especially after working in Calcutta and Madras High Courts, which are near the sea. However, it cannot entertain the plea under Article 32 and asked the petitioner to approach the BCI.