CJI Surya Kant, SG Tushar Mehta Welcome SCBA President Pradeep Rai

• Pradeep Rai was elected SCBA President with Rahul Kaushik as Vice President in the 2026 elections.
• Rai assured the Supreme Court Bench of continued cooperation and constructive engagement from the bar.
• The exchange between Rai, CJI Surya Kant, and SG Tushar Mehta highlighted the importance of maintaining a professional relationship between the bench and the bar.
• Mehta drew an analogy from HUF law to describe judges as karta, rather than 'fatherly figures.'
• CJI Surya Kant completed the analogy by saying 'We all are coparceners.'

'We all are coparceners,' CJI Surya Kant said, completing the analogy drawn by SG Tushar Mehta.

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has a new president in Pradeep Rai, who has assured the court bench of continued cooperation and constructive engagement. In an interaction with the bench, Rai emphasized the importance of guidance from judges, stating that it is 'very precious' for the bar. He also acknowledged the institutional mentorship provided by the Supreme Court, saying that whenever the bar faces issues, its members approach the judges to place their concerns before them. Rai's remarks reflect his commitment to dialogue and institutional propriety, while preserving the bar's role in articulating professional concerns of advocates.

The exchange between Rai and Chief Justice Surya Kant took a lighter turn when Solicitor General Tushar Mehta intervened, drawing an analogy from Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) law. Mehta observed that judges cannot be described as 'fatherly figures' and likened them to the karta of the HUF, while CJI Surya Kant completed the analogy by saying 'We all are coparceners.' This exchange highlights the importance of maintaining a professional relationship between the bench and the bar.

The SCBA elections were held recently, with Pradeep Rai elected as President and Rahul Kaushik as Vice President. The results of the election were declared last night, marking a new chapter in the association's leadership. The SCBA has been at the forefront of articulating professional concerns of advocates and engaging with the judiciary to ensure institutional cooperation. As Rai takes charge, he is expected to lead by example and help bar members establish themselves in the legal profession.

The exchange between Rai and the bench reflects the collegial interaction between the two institutions. The SCBA's commitment to constructive engagement and cooperation is crucial for maintaining a healthy relationship between the bench and the bar.

The exchange between CJI Surya Kant, SG Tushar Mehta, and Pradeep Rai highlights the importance of maintaining a professional relationship between the bench and the bar. The SCBA's commitment to cooperation and constructive engagement is crucial for ensuring that the legal profession remains vibrant and dynamic. As advocates, it is essential to engage with the judiciary in a spirit of dialogue and institutional propriety.

The analogy drawn by Mehta from HUF law underscores the importance of recognizing the role of judges as karta, rather than 'fatherly figures.' This exchange demonstrates that even in informal settings, the bench and bar can engage in meaningful discussions to promote cooperation and understanding.

This exchange highlights the importance of maintaining a professional relationship between the Bench and the Bar, with CJI Surya Kant's comment emphasizing the collaborative role of lawyers in articulating their concerns to the judiciary.

Source: Original reporting via Supreme Court Bar Association elections source