BCI chief regrets NALSAR enrolment bar order, apologises to law students

Bar Council of India Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra has expressed regret over the controversy surrounding the council's decision to bar NALSAR University of Law's 2026 graduating batch from enrolling with state bar councils. Mishra apologized to the law students, stating that the developments had caused "concern and anguish" among the student community.

The apology came a day after Mishra announced that the BCI would cease all proceedings against NALSAR's graduating class, acknowledging that "peaceful disagreement, questioning and protest are important features of a constitutional democracy" and that students must be free to express their views. The controversy began when Mishra issued a directive on August 13, barring NALSAR graduates from enrolling with state bar councils and instructing the university's Vice-Chancellor to identify students involved in a campaign opposing Chief Justice of India Surya Kant's invitation to the university's convocation.

The move sparked immediate resistance within the BCI, leading to its eventual withdrawal of the enrolment ban while retaining the inquiry direction. NALSAR's Student Bar Council condemned the BCI's actions, stating that the provisions of the Advocates Act are meant for legal education and professional standards and do not allow the council to prevent otherwise qualified graduates from enrolling as advocates.