CJI Suryakant Questions BCI Action Against NALSAR Students
Supreme Court hears challenge to BCI order over protests by NALSAR students; Bar Council confirms the directive has been withdrawn.
Chief Justice of India Suryakant has questioned the need for the Bar Council of India (BCI) to intervene after students of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, protested against his participation in a convocation ceremony.
During a hearing in the Supreme Court, the CJI said that if students were protesting against him, there was no reason for the BCI to intervene or for any State Bar Council to prevent them from enrolling as advocates.
The matter reached the Supreme Court after the BCI issued a directive concerning the students who were allegedly involved in the protest by members of NALSAR’s 2026 graduating batch. The BCI had earlier indicated that their enrolment as lawyers could face an interim stay and had sought a report from the university.
The council had also asked for details of the students and organisers associated with the protest. NALSAR was reportedly directed to submit its report within three days, following which the BCI was expected to consider further action on August 19.
The BCI had maintained that any conduct amounting to disrespect towards the highest office of the judiciary could not be ignored.
However, during the Supreme Court hearing, the BCI’s counsel informed the bench that the controversial order had been withdrawn a day earlier.
The development comes amid a wider debate over student protests, institutional authority and the right to express dissent within legal and academic institutions.
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