2 weeks ago
Bar Council withdraws NALSAR enrolment freeze after CJI criticism
Some students at NALSAR, a law school in Hyderabad, India, wrote letters saying they did not want an important judge, the Chief Justice of India, to come to their graduation ceremony as the special guest.
Around 450 students felt this way.
The Bar Council of India, the group that makes rules for lawyers, got upset.
It told state groups that no student from that graduating class could become a lawyer until it finished an inquiry.
That would have been a very big problem for students who studied for years to earn their law degree.
But the Bar Council changed its mind later the same day and said everything was fine.
The Chief Justice also said the council's action was wrong and unnecessary, and that students are allowed to share their opinions and protest.
He made these remarks while hearing a court case about the order, which had already been withdrawn.
In the end, no student was stopped from becoming a lawyer, and the episode reminded everyone that even important groups must follow fair rules.
The Bar Council of India (BCI) on August 13 directed state bar councils not to enrol NALSAR University of Law's 2026 batch after around 450 students objected to the CJI as convocation chief guest.
The BCI withdrew the directive the same evening and closed proceedings, with chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra saying the batch had no role in any 'disturbance or movement.'
CJI Surya Kant called the action 'absolutely unnecessary' and 'totally uncalled for,' saying students have the right to protest.
The Advocates Act, 1961 gives enrolment powers to state bar councils, and a 1995 Supreme Court ruling held the BCI cannot regulate lawyers at the pre-enrolment stage.
The BCI said it was not proceeding under Section 24A of the Act and cited an inquiry into what it called an 'organised campaign' against the CJI.
- Who
- CJI Surya Kant; the Bar Council of India and its chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra; around 450 students of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad; and senior advocate K K Manan.
- What
- The BCI briefly directed state bar councils not to enrol NALSAR's 2026 batch after student protests over the CJI's convocation invitation, then withdrew the order the same day and closed proceedings.
- Where
- India, involving NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, and the Bar Council of India.
- When
- Thursday, August 13, 2026 (order issued and withdrawn) and Friday, August 14, 2026 (CJI's remarks).
- Why
- The BCI cited an inquiry into what it called an 'organised campaign' against the CJI; critics and the CJI said students were exercising their fundamental right to protest.
BCI's position
Students, CJI and legal critics
Enrolment freeze during inquiry
BCI's position
The BCI said halting enrolment of the 2026 batch was needed while it inquired into what it called an 'organised campaign' against the CJI, to avoid a 'fait accompli.'
Students, CJI and legal critics
The CJI called the action 'absolutely unnecessary' and 'totally uncalled for,' saying students have a fundamental right to protest, while senior advocates warned the BCI's move went beyond its powers.
Scope of the BCI's authority
BCI's position
The BCI supervises state bar councils, and Rule 18 allows its chairman to pass interim orders in matters arising from that supervisory jurisdiction.
Students, CJI and legal critics
Critics note the Advocates Act gives enrolment powers to state bar councils and a 1995 Supreme Court judgment limited BCI regulation to those already enrolled; Section 26 of the Act covers individual rejected applications, not a blanket freeze on an entire class.
Key facts
- Institution
- NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad
- Regulator
- Bar Council of India (BCI)
- BCI chairperson
- Manan Kumar Mishra
- Chief Justice of India
- Surya Kant
- Protesting students
- Around 450
- Date of order
- Thursday, August 13, 2026
- Outcome
- Order withdrawn same day; proceedings closed
- Governing law
- Advocates Act, 1961
Quotes
Senior Advocate K. K. Manan
Senior Advocate K. K. Manan
“"We are living in a democratic country. To criticise or to do any agitation, it is our fundamental right given by our constitution. Nobody can take that away. BCI should withdraw it, failing which we will start our agitation against BCI."”
indianexpress.com
“"Students have the right to protest. Students have written a letter to me. It’s a dialogue between students and me. The BCI action was absolutely unnecessary. Totally uncalled for. BCI has nothing to do with this."”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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