New Delhi : The Supreme Court stated on Thursday that the Bar Council of India (BCI) possesses no legal authority to regulate the conduct of law students. The Court quashed two notifications issued by the BCI against students of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad.

These orders were linked to student protests regarding the proposed participation of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant in the university’s convocation ceremony. The Court made this observation after the BCI had initially directed State Bar Councils not to enroll law graduates from NALSAR’s 2026 batch as advocates. This directive followed student opposition to CJI Surya Kant’s proposed attendance as the chief guest at the university’s convocation.

The dispute began when several NALSAR students voiced their concerns, urging the university to reconsider the invitation extended to CJI Surya Kant.

The students cited remarks made by the CJI during a hearing concerning alleged police excesses against protesters marching to Parliament on July 20. Students from various batches raised the issue at least six times, with the first instance occurring on July 23.

The students argued that inviting the CJI ran counter to the university’s commitment to constitutional rights, access to justice, and the reasoned addressing of grievances.

One complaint highlighted the CJI’s response to a proposal to show videos of the alleged police action: “We have no interest in the videos. We do not have the time to watch them.” It also cited his words to the lawyer: “Do not waste our time, and do not waste your own time either.” The students maintained that their protest was rooted in constitutional values ​​rather than any disrespect towards the judicial office. A student who had served on the Student Bar Council stated, “We respect the office of the CJI, but we have been taught about the Constitution and constitutional values, and we do not wish to support anything that goes against those values.”

The controversy escalated when BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra directed State Bar Councils not to enroll law graduates from NALSAR’s 2026 batch as advocates until further orders. The BCI sought a report from NALSAR identifying the students who had allegedly initiated, organized, or furthered the campaign against CJI Surya Kant’s participation in the convocation ceremony.

The Council’s initial directive stated, “Until further orders, no student from NALSAR University of Law who obtained a law degree in 2026 shall be enrolled as an advocate by any State Bar Council.”

It further remarked, “A law student who holds no respect or regard for the country’s highest judicial office cannot be expected to become a responsible or sensible advocate, teacher, or judge. Such individuals will always remain a burden on the profession. Such conduct adversely affects an individual’s suitability to join or be associated with the legal profession and runs counter to the dignity, discipline, and ethical standards of the legal profession.”

The BCI further alleged that certain academic staff members at NALSAR were involved in misleading, inciting, and leading the students astray. This directive drew criticism from sections of the legal fraternity.

Supreme Court Bar Association President Vikas Singh termed the move arbitrary, illegal, and excessively harsh, while also noting that he did not support the students’ protest against the CJI’s invitation.

Amidst the criticism, the BCI withdrew its original directive within a few hours. In his revised communication, Mishra stated that the Council had fully deliberated on the earlier letter and modified its directive.

He noted that the majority of NALSAR students graduating in 2026 were “innocent” and had no desire to be part of any act of disrespect. However, he added, “Reliable sources have also revealed that certain faculty members and outsiders played a key role in instigating these innocent students.”

The revised decision allowed the 2026 graduating students to enroll, while the BCI awaited an inquiry report from NALSAR.

Report – Abhijit Tushar Bhatt (Political Editor)