CJI Surya Kant Questions Bar Council of India Over Action Against NALSAR Students
CJI Surya Kant on Friday strongly criticised the Bar Council of India’s (BCI) now-withdrawn decision to halt the enrolment of NALSAR University of Law’s 2026 graduates as advocates.
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Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has criticised the Bar Council of India (BCI) for its decision to temporarily block the enrolment of NALSAR University of Law’s 2026 graduating batch, calling the action “uncalled for”. The Supreme Court’s intervention came a day after the BCI withdrew its order following widespread concern over the move, TOI reported.
BCI Action Triggered by NALSAR Row
The controversy began after a group of students at the Hyderabad-based National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR) objected to Chief Justice Surya Kant being invited as the chief guest for the university’s convocation. The students had raised concerns over the invitation in the context of remarks attributed to the CJI during proceedings related to alleged police action against protesters in Delhi. NALSAR University Students Oppose CJI Surya Kant As Convocation Chief Guest, Cite Jantar Mantar Protest Hearing.
Following the controversy, the BCI directed State Bar Councils not to enrol graduates from NALSAR’s 2026 batch until further orders. It also sought information from the university about students allegedly involved in the campaign.
CJI Surya Kant Questions Collective Action
During proceedings, the Supreme Court expressed strong disapproval of the BCI's approach, particularly because the action initially covered the entire graduating batch rather than only those allegedly involved in the controversy. The CJI’s criticism came against the backdrop of the BCI’s subsequent decision to modify its order and allow all 2026 NALSAR graduates to seek enrolment with State Bar Councils. What CJI Surya Kant Said About Youth and How It Sparked the Cockroach Janata Party.
BCI Withdraws Enrolment Restriction
The BCI later said that, after further deliberation and examination of the matter, all NALSAR students who graduated in 2026 would be entitled to enrol with the State Bar Council of their choice.
The council said a factual inquiry into the controversy would continue and that any further action would be based on the findings of that inquiry. The reversal came within hours of the original directive and effectively removed the immediate threat to the professional careers of the entire graduating batch.
Debate Over Student Dissent
The episode has raised broader questions about the limits of institutional disciplinary powers and the protection of student expression in law schools.
While the BCI had cited concerns over an organised campaign and the conduct of students, the subsequent reversal underscored the difficulty of imposing collective consequences when individual involvement has not been established. For now, NALSAR’s 2026 graduates can proceed with enrolment, while the factual inquiry into the original dispute remains pending.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 14, 2026 11:21 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
