Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Supreme Court Orders BCI Consultation on Policy Decisions
The Supreme Court is examining complaints about the head of India’s Bar Council.
The complaints say Manan Kumar Mishra has held the position for a long time.
They also ask the court to remove him.
The court said the Bar Council must consult two senior government lawyers about every policy decision.
These lawyers are the Attorney General and the Solicitor General.
A group of judges heard the case on Wednesday.
The petitions were filed by advocates, including Yogamaya MG.
The court’s direction concerns how the Bar Council makes policy while the case is being considered.
The Supreme Court directed the Bar Council of India to consult the Attorney General and Solicitor General on every policy decision.
A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant heard petitions challenging Manan Kumar Mishra’s prolonged tenure as BCI chairman.
The petitions also seek Mishra’s removal from the chairmanship.
The court said both law officers must be actively associated with every BCI policy decision.
The petition filed by advocate Yogamaya MG said Mishra has remained BCI chairman since November 2014, apart from a brief break in 2014.
- Who
- The Supreme Court, the Bar Council of India, Manan Kumar Mishra, Attorney General for India, Solicitor General for India, and petitioners including advocate Yogamaya MG.
- What
- The Supreme Court directed the Bar Council of India to involve the Attorney General and Solicitor General in every policy decision while hearing challenges to Mishra’s tenure and seeking his removal.
- When
- Wednesday; the article does not provide a calendar date.
- Where
- The Supreme Court of India; the article does not specify the hearing location.
- Why
- Petitioners challenged the legality of Manan Kumar Mishra’s prolonged tenure as BCI chairman and sought his removal.
- Court direction
- The BCI must actively associate the Attorney General and Solicitor General with every policy decision.
- Bench
- Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana.
- Respondent position
- Manan Kumar Mishra is the BCI chairperson whose prolonged tenure is being challenged.
- Petition request
- The pleas seek Mishra’s removal from the chairmanship.
- Mishra’s first election
- He was first elected BCI chairman until 2012.
- Tenure timeline
- He briefly left office in 2014, returned as chairman in November 2014, and has remained in the post since then, according to the petition.