AI and Stipend Demands Shape DBA Elections in Nagpur The growing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the legal profession is reshaping courtroom dynamics and sparking debates over the future of young lawyers, with demands for a government-backed stipend emerging as a pivotal issue in the upcoming District Bar Association (DBA) elections. As AI tools streamline tasks such as petition drafting and legal research, senior practitioners are increasingly relying on technology rather than junior lawyers, reducing internship opportunities for new entrants. This shift has raised concerns about the financial stability and training prospects of fresh graduates, prompting calls for a structured stipend to support them during their early careers. The stipend demand has gained momentum ahead of the April 24 DBA elections, which traditionally focus on factional politics. However, this year’s campaign appears to reflect a broader shift, with young lawyers prioritizing professional challenges over internal party loyalties. Former DBA president Kamal Satuja highlighted the urgency of the issue, stating, “AI has created difficulties for new lawyers. It has become harder for them to get internship opportunities with senior advocates. Even if they do, the remuneration is not adequate.” The election atmosphere at the district court has intensified, with candidates vying for key positions, including president and secretary. While factional alliances remain influential, many voters are urging candidates to address long-standing infrastructural and professional concerns. These include inadequate seating arrangements for young lawyers despite court building expansions, persistent parking shortages, and poor maintenance of sanitation facilities, particularly in women’s restrooms.#artificial_intelligence #district_bar_association #nitin_deshmukh #prakash_jaiswal #kamal_satuja
District Bar Association Elections 2026: Six Candidates Vie for President, Five for Secretary Post The District Bar Association (DBA) in Nagpur has officially cleared all nominations for its upcoming elections, setting the stage for a competitive contest for the positions of president and secretary. The final scrutiny of nominations confirmed the validity of all 11 applications received, with no rejections. This marks the beginning of the election process, which includes key dates for voter registration, candidate withdrawals, and the final candidate list. The race for the president’s post features six candidates, including former office-bearers Nitin Deshmukh, Prakash Jaiswal, and Manoj Sable, alongside Rajesh Nayak, Tarun Parmar, and Sunil Lacharkar. The presence of experienced legal professionals is expected to shape voter preferences, though internal party dynamics remain uncertain. For the secretary’s role, five candidates are in contention: Anil Gulhane, Amit Band, Ashish Shende, Nitin Rode, and Ashish Kataria. The election timeline began with the publication of the final voter list on March 30. Nomination forms were distributed starting April 1, with submissions due by April 7. Candidates can withdraw their nominations until 5 p.m. on April 9. The final list of contesting candidates will be announced on April 10, providing clarity on the number of contenders. Campaigning is restricted to a short period following the release of the final list, running from April 10 to 23. Polling is scheduled for April 24, with voting open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The counting of votes will take place on April 25, with results expected to be declared the same day. The election process emphasizes transparency, with strict adherence to deadlines and procedural guidelines.#nagpur #manoj_sable #district_bar_association #nitin_deshmukh #prakash_jaiswal
‘One Bar, One Vote’ Rule Extended to DBA Polls, HC Orders Voter List Cleanup The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Wednesday extended the ‘one bar, one vote’ principle to the upcoming District Bar Association (DBA) elections, ensuring advocates who have already voted in the High Court Bar Association (HCBA) polls are excluded from the DBA electoral roll. A division bench of Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode issued the directive while hearing a petition filed by senior counsel Mohan Sudame and others, seeking strict enforcement of the rule. The court emphasized that the principle, which prohibits advocates from participating in multiple bar association elections, must be upheld to prevent vote duplication and maintain electoral integrity. The order followed an earlier directive from the high court in October 2025, which required advocates to submit undertakings confirming they would vote in only one bar association election. Under that directive, 1,507 advocates submitted such undertakings, of which 1,444 were validated by the HCBA election committee. The court had warned that any violations of this rule would invite disciplinary action. During the recent hearing, the bench noted that while its earlier directive was interim, immediate enforcement was necessary due to the approaching DBA elections on April 24. The court ruled that excluding HCBA voters from the DBA electoral roll was essential to uphold the principle in the current cycle. The issue had previously reached the Supreme Court, which dismissed a challenge to the high court’s directive, reinforcing the validity of the ‘one bar, one vote’ framework. The Bombay High Court has scheduled a further hearing on the matter after the summer vacation, pending additional submissions.#bombay_high_court #high_court_bar_association #district_bar_association #mohan_sudame #akshay_sudame
