Bar Council of India directs State Councils not to enroll NALSAR students amid row over CJI invite
The Bar Council of India has directed State Bar Councils not to enroll NALSAR University of Law students graduating in 2026 following protests against Chief Justice of India Surya Kant’s proposed participation in the convocation.
Hyderabad: In a major blow to NALSAR University of Law students, the Bar Council of India (BCI) on Thursday asked the State Bar Councils not to enroll the university students, who obtained the law degree in 2026, as advocates.
The move follows a section of the NALSAR students opposing the proposal to invite Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant as the chief guest to the varsity’s convocation.
In a letter addressed to NALSAR University of Law Vice Chancellor Prof. Srikrishna Deva Rao, BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra has sought a complete factual report about the persons instrumental in initiating, organising or mobilising the campaign relating to the participation of the Chief Justice of India for the convocation.
The university was asked to submit the report, including representation, petition, memorandum or any other communication submitted to the university authorities concerning the proposed participation or invitation of the CJI within three days. It was also asked to submit a complete list of signatories available in the official records of the university.
“Till further orders, no student of NALSAR University of Law, who has obtained the Law degree in the year 2026, shall be enrolled by any State Bar Council as an advocate,” Mishra said in the letter.
In an email to the Vice Chancellor, some students said their concern arises from the refusal of the Supreme Court Bench led by the CJI to allow urgent listing of a plea concerning the alleged brutal police action against protesters during the peaceful ‘Chalo Sansad’ demonstration at Jantar Mantar on July 20.
Citing some reliable sources, the BCI Chairman said there exist ‘groupism’ and ‘dirty politics’ among some of the academic staff and they allegedly played a very active role in misleading, instigating and misguiding students.
“This is a very serious matter. The teachers, instead of involving themselves in their teaching job, are doing nasty politics in the campus. Bar Council of India, being the regulator of Legal Education cannot be a mute spectator of such a serious situation,” he added.
