Supreme Court directs every State and High Court to provide exclusive bar rooms and washrooms for women lawyers

26 October 2026

Hearing Sarika Tyagi v. Union of India, a writ petition of 2026, the Supreme Court directed all States, Union Territories and High Courts to ensure exclusive bar rooms and washrooms for women lawyers in the courts within their jurisdiction. The bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana said a separate women's bar room with basic amenities must be provided in district and taluka courts in proportion to the number of women practising there, and that State governments must allocate funds where none exist. Building and infrastructure committees of the High Courts were asked to oversee implementation. Attorney General R. Venkataramani was named the central nodal authority to collect and compile progress reports from Advocates General and Standing Counsels. The matter was listed again for 2 December. The Court has earlier linked basic facilities for women advocates to the right to life and dignity under Article 21.