The Bar Council of India (BCI) has initiated an inquiry into the legal practice status of Mamata Banerjee, the former chief minister of West Bengal, after she appeared in court in lawyer's robes. In a letter dated May 14, the BCI requested the Bar Council of West Bengal to confirm whether Banerjee is currently enrolled as an advocate and if her name remains on the State Roll of Advocates. The BCI's communication, signed by principal secretary Srimanto Sen, highlighted the need to verify Banerjee's enrollment number, date of enrollment, and any records of suspension or cessation of her legal practice during her tenure as chief minister from 2011 to 2026. The state bar council has been given a deadline to provide this information by May 16 and is instructed to preserve all original records related to Banerjee's legal status. The BCI emphasized that no alterations to the records should be made without proper notification and adherence to legal protocols.