NEW DELHI, Aug 14: The Supreme Court on Friday took a strong exception to a Bar Council of India (BCI) circular directing state bar councils not to enrol 2026 graduates of NALSAR University of Law as advocates, observing that students have a right to protest.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, also comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, questioned the BCI’s intervention in the matter and said the issue involved a dialogue between the Chief Justice and the students.
The observations came during the hearing of a plea challenging the BCI circular and seeking its urgent listing.
The Supreme Court issued notice to the BCI and directed that no punitive action be taken against NALSAR students or faculty at the instance of the BCI or any state bar council.
The BCI’s counsel informed the court that the controversial circular had already been withdrawn. The matter has been posted for further hearing after two weeks.
The development followed a controversy that erupted on August 13, when the BCI initially directed all state bar councils not to enrol any 2026 graduate of NALSAR as an advocate until further orders.
The decision was taken amid allegations concerning a campaign against Chief Justice Surya Kant’s participation in the university’s convocation. The BCI had sought a report identifying those allegedly responsible and said it would take a final decision on August 19 after examining the material received.
Following strong criticism and an uproar on social media, the BCI modified its decision and permitted state bar councils to enrol the 2026 NALSAR graduates.
In its revised notification, the BCI said the “vast majority” of students were innocent and should not be made to suffer for the alleged misconduct of a few.
