- (1.)Permission to file application for modification of judgment/order dated 25.10.2018 passed by this Court in Writ Petition (Civil) No.745/2018 and connected matters, is granted.
(2.)In the instant application filed by the applicants viz., Supreme Court Women Lawyers Association and two women lawyers who are the Vice-President and the General Secretary respectively, of the aforesaid association, the prayer is made to the effect that there should be some quota or priority for allotment of Chambers/Cabins to women lawyers practicing in this Court. In paragraph (6) of the said application, the applicants have stated reasons why such a provision is essential and necessary and have also made certain prayers. We therefore reproduce paragraph (6) of the said application as under :
"It is most respectfully prayed that this Honourable Court may kindly consider that the women lawyers have varied responsibilities and it becomes extremely difficult for them to function without a proper dedicated space of working like Cabin or Chambers. It is most respectfully prayed that this Honourable Court may kindly be pleased to modify the above mentioned criterion for the allotment of chambers to the women advocates. It is prayed that :

(A) The women lawyers having more than 15 years of standing and featuring in voters list of the Supreme Court Bar Association continuously for 15 years may be considered on priority for allotment of chambers/cabins.

(B) The appearance in I.As./Cr.M.Ps and also the appearances of lawyers before the Honourable Chamber Judge and the Registrar Court may not be exclused.

(C) The number of appearances may be reduced from 50 to 25 for Non-Advocate on Record Women Advocates practicing continuously as stated in Para A.

(D) It is most respectively prayed that most of the lady Advocates who are practicing regularly and continuously before this Honourable Court since last 15 years or more are already nearing the age of 40 or 40 plus. Even if they apply for chamber today, then also considering the long waiting list they may not get it for another 10- 15 years, whereas it is required at present as it will help them to serve the cause of justice in a better way. The construction of chambers at Appu Ghar is already over and in case the chambers are not readily available due to the existing long waiting list then this Honourable Court may kindly consider the option of construction of small independent lockable cabins for the lady advocates above mentioned in Para A practicing continuously before this Honourable Court since 15 years and in voters list of the Supreme Court Bar Association for all these years."

The request made by the applicants for giving priority for allotment of Chambers/Cabins to the women lawyers appears to be reasonable and justified. However, it is for the Chambers Allotment Committee to take a final call thereon. Further, the modalities thereof and in what manner such priority should be given is also to be left to the Chambers Allotment Committee.

We are, thus, of the opinion that this application of the applicants be placed before the Chambers Allotment Committee so that it may consider the request contained in this application and take an appropriate decision in this regard, expeditiously.

With the aforesaid observations, this application for modification is disposed of.

Miscellaneous application also stands disposed of.