NAINITAL: The Uttarakhand High Court Bar Association on Monday elected advocate D C S Rawat as president for the upcoming term, securing an emphatic victory over his contenders as polling concluded peacefully at the Nainital High Court premises. According to the election committee, Rawat received the highest number of votes in the presidential race, giving him what senior observers described as a clear mandate from the practising advocates of the state.
Chief Election Officer Kurban Ali said the ballot count demonstrated strong participation from members. He confirmed that 1112 advocates out of 1689 registered voters cast their votes in the annual election. Polling commenced at 10 in the morning and continued until 4 in the afternoon.
Speaking after the declaration of results, Ali stated, “The election was conducted in a fair and transparent manner. Advocates cooperated fully with the guidelines issued by the committee. The high turnout reflects the confidence of the bar in the democratic process.” He added that all candidates accepted the results with dignity.
Rawat secured 668 votes in the presidential contest. His nearest competitor, D K Joshi, received 249 votes. Other candidates in the fray included Manisha Bhandari who secured 124 votes and Anjali Bhargava who received 53 votes. Senior members of the bar said Rawat’s win demonstrates broad support across various practising groups.
After the announcement, Rawat expressed gratitude to the members for placing their trust in him. He said, “I am thankful to the advocates who supported me. My focus will be on improving professional facilities, strengthening coordination with the judiciary and ensuring that the bar functions in a manner that benefits every member.” He added that issues related to library infrastructure and welfare schemes would be taken up on priority.
The contest for the general secretary position remained one of the most closely watched of the day. Advocate Saurabh Adhikari won the post by securing 436 votes. His nearest rival, Akshay Latwal, obtained 419 votes while Bhupendra Koranga received 246 votes. Election observers described the result as reflective of a highly engaged membership. Speaking briefly after his victory, Adhikari said, “I will work to ensure that communication between members and the executive body remains smooth and transparent. The bar must function collectively and with shared responsibility.”
The post of senior vice president was won by Sushil Vasistha who received 570 votes against Prem Kaushal who secured 515. In the women’s vice president category, Meena Bisht won with 723 votes while her competitor, Chetna Latwal, obtained 356. Advocates stated that Bisht’s win underscores the increasing participation of women in leadership roles within the bar.
The treasurer’s post went to advocate Subhr Rastogi who received 346 votes. His opponents included Gurbani Singh who secured 241 votes. Members of the election committee reported that the counting process was completed under strict supervision by a panel of senior advocates.
The association also elected junior committee members and various other office bearers. Full results were announced late in the evening after verification of the ballot records. The committee reported that all advocates voting in the election were required to sign a written oath affirming adherence to the one vote one bar principle. Officials stated that this rule was implemented to prevent duplicate voting in multiple bar associations.
Advocates from Uttarkashi, Pithoragarh, Rudraprayag, Bageshwar and several other districts participated in the election, reflecting the statewide representation at the High Court. Senior advocate Rajendra Pathak said, “The bar association plays a vital role in representing the collective concerns of the legal fraternity. The newly elected team has a significant responsibility toward strengthening the institutional framework.”
Throughout the day, security personnel and volunteers ensured smooth movement within the polling area. No disruptions or complaints were reported. Observers noted that the process maintained the decorum expected of an election at the state’s principal judicial institution.
With the new executive body now in place, members expect the association to focus on welfare measures, infrastructural reforms and coordination between the bar and the bench. Senior advocates emphasised that the coming year will require collaborative decision making to address challenges faced by practising lawyers in the state.
Dheeraj reports on governance, public services, jobs, and regional developments across Uttarakhand. He specialises in recruitment news, public-sector updates, and civic issues that impact everyday citizens. His reporting brings accuracy, context, and a grassroots perspective to local journalism.
