‘No true remorse’: Lawyers body stands behind NALSAR students, says BCI chief’s apology ‘belated’

Days after National Accreditation Board for Universities and Colleges (NABSAR) University of Law faced a directive from the Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra not to enrol 2026 graduates, the Bombay Bar Association (BBA) blasted Mishra's apology as "belated" and lacking in genuine remorse. On August 13, Mishra's order was rescinded, overturning his initial decision to bar the enrolments of NALSAR graduates. However, the BBA found Mishra's subsequent actions insufficient to demonstrate true regret.

The BBA's statement highlighted that Mishra's August 15 post on X declaring the BCI had closed proceedings and waived further action was inadequate to prove genuine remorse. Moreover, they criticized Mishra's continued chairmanship of the BCI, stating that such a position contradicts the principles of fairness and natural justice that the legal profession embodies.

In their critique of the directive against NALSAR graduates, the BBA argued that Mishra's August 13 letter was a direct attempt to inflict significant harm on the professional futures of NALSAR students, who passed out in 2026. They deemed this action "uncalled for", as it disregarded the principles governing free speech and the right to protest.

The lawyers' body emphasized that by barring NALSAR students, Mishra's August 13 order was an "abuse" of his position as Chairperson. Despite the rescission of the order, the BBA argued that Mishra's conduct failed to uphold the dignity of the legal profession and the constitutional freedoms that it represents.