BCI Modifies NALSAR Ban, Says ‘No Student Shall Be Made to Suffer’ Without Fault

The Bar Council of India (BCI) on Wednesday withdrew its earlier direction barring the enrolment of NALSAR University of Law’s 2026 graduates as advocates, saying the “vast majority” of the students were innocent and had not intended to participate in any move to “disrespect” Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.

A fresh communication issued on August 13 reads that the Council had reconsidered its earlier order after deliberations with its members.

The Council said all NALSAR students graduating in 2026 would now be entitled to enrol with the State Bar Council of their choice.

The development comes hours after the BCI had directed all State Bar Councils not to enrol any 2026 law graduate from the Hyderabad-based National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR) until further orders.

The earlier direction had followed a controversy over a section of NALSAR students opposing the reported invitation to CJI Surya Kant to attend the university’s forthcoming convocation.

The controversy began after students objected to the proposed participation of CJI Surya Kant at the convocation. Their objection was linked to remarks made by the CJI during Supreme Court proceedings concerning alleged police action against protesters at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.

On July 20, protesters associated with the Cockroach Janta Party had attempted to march towards Parliament, leading to clashes with security personnel.

Two days later, a plea concerning alleged police excesses was mentioned before a bench headed by Justice Surya Kant. During the hearing, counsel referred to alleged police brutality against students and said video evidence was available. The CJI reportedly said, “don’t waste our time and yours” and indicated that the Court did not want to watch videos.

The remarks triggered discontent among students at NALSAR. On July 23, students from the graduating batch submitted a representation to the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Registrar and professors, asking them to reconsider the CJI’s proposed participation in the convocation. Reports said around 450 students from different batches subsequently expressed support for the objection.

The students argued that the convocation should reflect NALSAR’s commitment to constitutional rights, access to justice and reasoned engagement with grievances. Their objection was specifically tied to what they viewed as the CJI’s handling of allegations of police brutality against protesters.

The BCI, however, viewed the campaign differently. In its earlier order, it directed NALSAR to submit an authenticated report identifying those who had allegedly initiated, organised, coordinated or mobilised the campaign. It also sought copies of representations, petitions or memoranda submitted to the university and the complete list of their signatories. The university was given three days to respond.

The BCI had said that a law student showing “no regard or respect for the highest Judicial Office of the country” could not be expected to become a responsible advocate, teacher or judge. It had also said such conduct was inconsistent with the “dignity, discipline and ethical standards” of the legal profession.

BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra had further alleged, citing what he described as reliable sources, that some teachers had played an active role in “misleading, instigating and misguiding” students and that there was groupism and internal political activity among sections of the academic staff.

The blanket enrolment ban was imposed pending the inquiry. The BCI’s earlier circular stated that no student who obtained a law degree from NALSAR in 2026 would be enrolled by any State Bar Council as an advocate until further orders.

The Council has now substantially reversed that position.

In its fresh August 13 communication, the BCI said that, according to the latest report, the “vast majority” of the 2026 pass-outs were innocent and were not inclined to participate in any move to disrespect the CJI. It therefore modified the chairman’s order and permitted all 2026 NALSAR graduates to enrol with State Bar Councils of their choice.

The BCI has nevertheless kept the broader inquiry alive. It said some reliable sources had reported that a “handful of teachers and outsiders” were instrumental in instigating the students. The Council said it would await the inquiry report of the NALSAR Vice-Chancellor before taking any further action.

The fresh order also carries a clear message that “no student shall be made to suffer without any fault on his part".