High Court rejects PIL against different dress codes in GSTAT

The Delhi High Court has allowed a group of lawyers to approach the President of the Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) regarding a dress code issue challenged by them.

The petitioners, Garima Singh and others, raised concerns about an office order dated June 30, 2025, which notified different dress codes for Judicial Members and Technical Members of the GSTAT.

The office order directs the president and the judicial members to wear the same attire as Supreme Court or High Court judges without gowns. Technical members are required to wear white, striped or black trousers with a black coat over a white shirt and a black necktie or a buttoned-up black coat.

The petitioners argued that the difference in dress codes between the two types of Members of the same tribunal created a confusing situation during proceedings.

However, the Delhi High Court held that the dress code issue would be better resolved by the President of the GSTAT. As a result, the Court allowed the petitioners to submit a formal representation to the President of the Tribunal, raising their grievance to be considered.

The court requested that the President address the issue and take the right action.