Chief Justice of India Rebukes Bar Council of India Over NALSAR Student Enrolment Freeze

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant has criticized the Bar Council of India (BCI) for attempting to block the enrolment of law graduates from NALSAR University of Law. The controversy began when the BCI directed state bar councils to freeze the enrolment of the 2026 graduating batch after students protested the CJI's invitation as the chief guest at their convocation. The students reportedly objected to the CJI based on his previous comments regarding police excesses during a July 20 protest at Jantar Mantar. Within hours of the directive, the BCI withdrew the order and later closed all proceedings against the batch. On Friday, while hearing a plea challenging the directive, CJI Kant stated that the BCI action was absolutely unnecessary and uncalled for. He emphasized that students have a right to protest peacefully and lawfully, adding that the matter was a dialogue between himself and the students. The Supreme Court has since restrained the BCI and state bar councils from taking punitive or criminal action against students or faculty in connection with the row and has asked the BCI to file a counter-affidavit within two weeks. BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra, a BJP nominated Rajya Sabha MP, initially argued that disrespect toward the highest judicial office was inconsistent with the values of future lawyers. However, he later announced the closure of the inquiry, stating the batch had no role in any disturbance. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has since called for Mishra's resignation, citing moral responsibility. Legal analysis indicates that under the Advocates Act of 1961, the power to admit persons as advocates belongs to State Bar Councils, not the BCI, although the BCI can provide opinions on individual rejections.