The Delhi High Court expressed concern over the public disclosure of advocates’ personal contact details and their alleged misuse during the Bar Council of Delhi elections.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia observed that the privacy of lawyers cannot be compromised and noted that many advocates were being harassed through unsolicited campaign messages and calls after being added to messaging groups without their consent.

The Court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by advocate Shashank Singh, who alleged that the Bar Council of Delhi had published photographs, residential addresses, and mobile phone numbers of lawyers in its updated voter list. The petition contended that such disclosure exposed advocates to harassment, profiling, and security risks, as many were receiving unsolicited communications for election canvassing.

Appearing for the Bar Council of Delhi, advocate T Singhdev submitted that the elections were scheduled shortly and that the canvassing period would soon conclude. He also stated that voter details had been shared with the 121 contesting candidates for election-related communication and that similar information about lawyers was already available on various websites.

The Bench, however, emphasised the obligation of the Bar Council to safeguard the privacy rights of advocates and indicated that appropriate steps must be taken to address the issue.

The Court ultimately issued notice to the Bar Council of Delhi, the Bar Council of India, and the Central government, and listed the matter for hearing after two weeks.