2 weeks ago
CJI Slams BCI, CJP Demands Mishra's Resignation in NALSAR Row
A law college in India called NALSAR University got into trouble with the Bar Council of India, the group that gives law graduates permission to become lawyers.
The Bar Council said students graduating in 2026 could not become lawyers for a while.
This happened after some students protested against the Chief Justice of India being the special guest at their graduation ceremony.
A funny group called the Cockroach Janata Party said the rule was unfair and asked the Bar Council's leader, Mr. Manan Kumar Mishra, to quit his job.
Mr. Mishra took back the rule and promised that no one would be punished or questioned about it.
Then the Supreme Court of India said the Bar Council had no right to stop students from protesting peacefully.
It also said the Bar Council could not punish the students or their teachers because of this issue.
The Supreme Court asked the Bar Council to explain its actions within two weeks.
In the end, students could become lawyers again, and their right to speak up peacefully was protected.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant criticised the Bar Council of India's intervention in the NALSAR enrolment dispute, saying the Council had no authority to interfere with students' right to protest.
The Supreme Court restrained the BCI and state bar councils from taking punitive or criminal action against students or faculty members in connection with the dispute.
The Supreme Court issued notice to the BCI on a petition challenging its actions and seeking directions against similar orders, with a response due within two weeks.
CJP co-convenor Saurav Das demanded BCI chairman Manan Kumar Mishra's resignation, saying he should take 'moral responsibility' for the BCI overstepping its authority.
Mishra had already withdrawn the order barring NALSAR's 2026 graduates from advocate enrolment after an emergency Council meeting, saying no inquiry of any kind would take place.
- Who
- Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, a Supreme Court bench including Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, Bar Council of India chairman Manan Kumar Mishra, Cockroach Janata Party founder Abhijeet Dipke and co-convenor Saurav Das, and NALSAR University of Law students.
- What
- The Supreme Court criticised the BCI's intervention in the NALSAR dispute, restrained punitive action against students and faculty, and issued notice to the BCI, while CJP leaders demanded Mishra's resignation.
- Where
- India — before the Supreme Court in New Delhi, involving NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad.
- When
- On Friday, when Das demanded Mishra's resignation and Mishra responded; the Supreme Court's criticism came days earlier, and the original barring order was withdrawn a day after it was issued.
- Why
- The BCI had barred NALSAR's 2026 graduates from advocate enrolment after some students protested against CJI Surya Kant being invited as convocation Chief Guest; the court held that students' right to peaceful protest must not be interfered with.
Critics and protesters (CJP, students)
Bar Council of India leadership
Proportionality and authority of the enrolment ban
Critics and protesters (CJP, students)
CJP's Saurav Das called the halt on NALSAR 2026 graduates' enrolment 'grossly disproportionate, deeply troubling, and prima facie indefensible', and the CJI said the BCI had no authority to interfere with students' right to protest.
Bar Council of India leadership
Mishra said the order was unnecessary, was withdrawn immediately after an emergency meeting, and that no inquiry would take place, stressing the Council only wants students to face no obstacles in judicial internships.
Reason behind the order
Critics and protesters (CJP, students)
Das said the order was reportedly because NALSAR students opposed Chief Justice of India Surya Kant being invited as Chief Guest at the convocation.
Bar Council of India leadership
Mishra said the intention was that no student should suffer loss in securing judicial internships, citing past restrictions such as Supreme Court internship durations being cut from one week to two days.
Accountability for the episode
Critics and protesters (CJP, students)
Das demanded Mishra's resignation, saying he should take 'moral responsibility' for the BCI overstepping its authority.
Bar Council of India leadership
Mishra said no inquiry would take place, wished the students well, and said the BCI shares the same interests as the CJP in protecting students' rights.
Key facts
- BCI chairman
- Manan Kumar Mishra
- Affected institution
- NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad
- Original directive
- No 2026 NALSAR graduate to be enrolled as advocate until further notice
- Outcome
- Order withdrawn after emergency Council meeting; no inquiry to be held
- Court's action
- BCI and state bar councils restrained from punitive/criminal action; notice issued with response due within two weeks
- Reported trigger
- Student opposition to CJI Surya Kant as convocation Chief Guest
- Protest warning
- CJP threatened protests outside the BCI office and Mishra's official residence
- Chief Justice's stance
- Students' right to peaceful protest must not be interfered with
Quotes
Manan Kumar Mishra
Chairman of the Bar Council of India
“The Bar Council of India’s decision to halt the enrolment of NALSAR’s 2026 graduating students as advocates, reportedly because they opposed Chief Justice of India Surya Kant being invited as Chief Guest, is grossly disproportionate, deeply troubling, and prima facie indefensible.”
livemint.com
“The Bar Council of India aims to protect the interests of the youth of India. I want to communicate to Abhijeet Dipke and Das that our interests are the same as theirs, to protect the rights of the students.”
livemint.com
Chief Justice Surya Kant
Chief Justice of India, presiding over the Supreme Court case
“"the Supreme Court would not allow students to be prevented from expressing their concerns through peaceful and lawful demonstrations."”
freepressjournal.in
“"the Council had no authority to interfere with students’ right to protest."”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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