Archive · 14 Aug 2026
Bar Council drops inquiry against NALSAR students opposing CJI
Some law students in India said they did not want the country's most important judge to hand them their diplomas.
They were unhappy because the judge, Chief Justice Surya Kant, had dismissed a case about police being too rough with protesters.
The students asked their university, NALSAR in Hyderabad, to change the chief guest for their graduation ceremony.
The Bar Council of India, the group that gives people permission to work as lawyers, got upset with the students.
At first, it said the students would not be allowed to become lawyers at all.
Lots of people, including senior lawyers and citizens, said this punishment was too harsh.
Just a few hours later, the Bar Council changed its mind and dropped the case.
It said it was satisfied that the students had not caused any trouble.
The council had asked the university to find out who led the protest, but in the end all actions against the students were closed.
The Bar Council of India dropped all proceedings against NALSAR's 2026 graduating batch, who had opposed Chief Justice Surya Kant's participation in their convocation.
Earlier in the day, the council had announced the students would not be enrolled as advocates, a decision it withdrew a few hours later.
Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra said proceedings were closed after considering representations and being satisfied that the batch had no role in any disturbance or movement.
Students had urged the university to reconsider the CJI's invitation, citing his reported refusal to urgently hear a petition alleging police excesses against Delhi protesters on July 20.
The council had sought an inquiry report from NALSAR identifying those 'principally instrumental' in opposing Kant's participation before closing the matter.
- Who
- Chief Justice Surya Kant, the 2026 graduating batch of NALSAR, Hyderabad, and Bar Council of India Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra.
- What
- The Bar Council of India dropped all proceedings against NALSAR students who opposed the CJI's convocation invitation, reversing its earlier decision to bar them from enrolment as advocates.
- When
- Thursday night, August 13, 2026.
- Where
- India, centering on NALSAR in Hyderabad and the Bar Council of India, with the underlying protest events in Delhi.
- Why
- Students objected to Kant's participation citing his dismissive response to a petition alleging police excesses against Delhi protesters; the council closed the case after considering representations and finding the batch had no role in any disturbance.
Students and critics
Bar Council of India
Convocation invitation to the Chief Justice
Students and critics
Students said it was inappropriate to receive degrees from a dignitary whose recent public conduct appeared dismissive of serious allegations of police brutality against protesting citizens.
Bar Council of India
The Bar Council treated the organised campaign against the Chief Justice's participation as serious enough to demand an inquiry into who was 'principally instrumental' in opposing him.
Penalty of barring enrolment as advocates
Students and critics
Critics such as the Cockroach Janta Party called the directive 'grossly disproportionate' and warned of protests by law students and advocates if it was not withdrawn.
Bar Council of India
The council initially viewed the campaign as grounds to refuse enrolment, but withdrew the decision hours later after considering representations and finding the 2026 batch had no role in any disturbance.
Chief Justice's handling of the police excess petition
Students and critics
Students and petitioners felt the Chief Justice's remarks, such as 'Don't waste our time,' were dismissive of serious allegations, especially since video evidence was offered.
Bar Council of India
The bench headed by the Chief Justice refused to hear the petition urgently, reportedly saying it was not interested in watching the video evidence.
- Organisation
- Bar Council of India (BCI)
- Bar Council Chairman
- Manan Kumar Mishra
- University
- National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR), Hyderabad
- Vice-Chancellor
- Srikrishna Deva Rao
- Chief Justice
- Surya Kant
- Date of decision
- August 13, 2026
- Original action
- Students barred from enrolment as advocates; withdrawn hours later
- Background incident
- Petition over alleged police excesses against Delhi protesters on July 20; urgent hearing refused on July 22