N1.32bn ‘fake agency’ scandal: Court orders police, AGF to grant embattled DG access to lawyers

The Supreme Court permitted young lawyers to file a petition in the Delhi High Court seeking an independent investigation into allegations of violence against them during a peaceful protest at the Bar Council of India (BCI) premises on August 21, 2026. The bench, led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, directed advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing petitioners Kunal Yadav and others, to present their case to the High Court.

The lawyers alleged that they were physically assaulted, dragged, verbally abused, and forcibly removed from the BCI premises, which are under constant CCTV surveillance and guarded by a significant police presence. Bhushan contended that BCI chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra referred to the protesting lawyers as "legal cockroaches" and that the incident lacked intervention from even an Assistant Commissioner of Police on duty.

Justice Joymalya Bagchi acknowledged the protesters' right to demonstrate but emphasized that the legal community is disciplined and has multiple avenues to address grievances. Bhushan firmly stated that no one has the right to physically harm others, and he pledged to adhere to the court's decision. He explained that the petition was directly filed in the Supreme Court due to ongoing related cases being heard by the court, and the Chief Justice opined that submitting the petition to the High Court first would be more suitable.