Advocates’ Body Flags OBC Under-Representation in Karnataka High Court Appointments 

The Advocates’ Association Bengaluru (AAB) has raised concerns over the lack of representation of lawyers from Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in recent appointments to the Karnataka High Court.

In a letter dated January 28, addressed to Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru, the Association pointed out that none of the ten names recommended under the Bar quota belong to the OBC category, especially those classified as BCM-A (Most Backward Classes – Category A). The Bar quota refers to judges appointed directly from practising advocates.

The Association said this exclusion has caused serious concern within the legal community. It highlighted that lawyers from educationally and economically backward sections have not been given fair opportunity in the current list of recommendations.

AAB requested the High Court Collegium to recommend at least two additional candidates from the OBC and BCM-A categories under the Bar quota to ensure balanced representation.

The letter also drew attention to the existing composition of the High Court. Out of a sanctioned strength of 38 judges, only about two to three judges belong to OBC or BCM-A categories, excluding those transferred from other States. This amounts to roughly 5–7 per cent representation, despite OBCs forming more than 25 per cent of Karnataka’s population.

Calling this a case of “gross under-representation”, the Association said the situation raises constitutional concerns under Articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution, which mandate equality and fair representation.

The Association clarified that this gap cannot be corrected by increasing appointments from the district judiciary. It explained that the Bar quota and district judge quota operate on different principles, and one cannot replace the other.

The letter also expressed surprise that the Collegium could not find even two suitable candidates from the OBC category, given the large pool of capable lawyers available. It warned that filling the gap through the judges’ quota would further deny OBC advocates the chance to be elevated directly from the Bar.

The representation stressed that constitutional values must apply equally to judicial appointments. The letter was signed by AAB President Vivek Subba Reddy and other office-bearers of the Association.