Senior Advocate Pradeep Rai Elected New Supreme Court Bar Association President
Senior Advocate Pradeep Rai has been elected as the new President of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) for the 2026–27 term. The election result was announced late Tuesday, August 18, with Rai securing a decisive victory over his closest rival, Senior Advocate Anupam Lal Das. Rai received 822 votes, while Das polled 451 votes, giving Rai a winning margin of 371 votes.
The SCBA election was closely watched within the legal fraternity as advocates practising before the Supreme Court voted to choose the association's new leadership. The association plays an important role in representing the professional interests and welfare of lawyers appearing before India's highest court.
Rai's victory marks another important chapter in his association with the SCBA. He had previously served as the association's Vice President during the 2023–24 term and had been involved in several initiatives concerning the welfare and professional interests of advocates. His campaign for the presidency focused substantially on improving welfare measures and strengthening the institutional functioning of the Bar.
Pradeep Rai Wins With Clear Majority
The presidential contest featured several prominent legal professionals. Apart from Rai and Anupam Lal Das, the candidates included Adish Agarwalla, Gaurav Bhatia, Sukumar Pattjoshi, Siddharth Mridul and Mahalakshmi Pavani. Rai's 822 votes placed him comfortably ahead of the field.
The result also reflected strong support for Rai among members of the Supreme Court Bar. His margin over the second-placed candidate was substantial, giving the incoming president a strong mandate as he prepares to lead the association for the new term.
New SCBA Office Bearers
The election also resulted in the selection of other key office bearers. Senior Advocate Rahul Kaushik was elected Vice President, while Pragya Baghel was elected Secretary. Reepak Kansal was chosen as Treasurer and Meenesh Dubey as Joint Secretary.
The new leadership is expected to focus on issues affecting advocates, including professional welfare, infrastructure, administrative matters and representation of the Bar before relevant institutions.
Focus on Advocate Welfare
During his campaign, Rai had highlighted several welfare-oriented proposals. These included measures aimed at strengthening healthcare and professional support for advocates. His earlier experience within the SCBA is expected to help him navigate the association's institutional responsibilities.
The election comes at a time when the SCBA is also preparing for changes to its electoral framework. The Supreme Court had earlier introduced reforms concerning the association's elections but subsequently deferred their implementation to 2027.
With his election, Pradeep Rai now takes charge of one of India's most prominent bar associations. His tenure is expected to place emphasis on advocate welfare, institutional reforms and stronger representation of the Supreme Court Bar.
