The Bar Council of India (BCI) has withdrawn its earlier direction restraining State Bar Councils from enrolling the 2026 graduating batch of NALSAR University of Law as advocates, holding that the overwhelming majority of students were not involved in the controversy surrounding a campaign against Chief Justice of India Surya Kant’s proposed participation in the university’s convocation.
Following deliberations by the BCI Council, the earlier direction issued by BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra was modified to make it clear that every student graduating from NALSAR in 2026 would be entitled to seek enrolment with the State Bar Council of their choice.
The Council took the view that students who had no role in the alleged campaign should not face adverse professional consequences merely because of the conduct of others. It accordingly permitted the entire batch to proceed with enrolment, while retaining the factual inquiry into the events at NALSAR.
The BCI said it would await a report from the university’s Vice-Chancellor before determining whether any further action was warranted. According to the Council’s communication, information received from certain sources indicated that a limited number of teachers and outsiders may have played a role in influencing or instigating students.
The controversy arose after reports that a section of NALSAR’s outgoing students had objected to the proposed participation of CJI Surya Kant at the university’s forthcoming convocation. The objections were reportedly linked to remarks attributed to the Chief Justice during proceedings concerning protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
Earlier on August 13, the BCI Chairman had directed all State Bar Councils not to enrol any NALSAR graduate from the 2026 batch until further orders. The Chairman had simultaneously sought an authenticated factual report from the university identifying persons allegedly involved in initiating, organising, coordinating or mobilising the campaign.
The university was also asked to furnish copies of representations, petitions, memoranda or other communications concerning the proposed invitation to the CJI, along with details of signatories and information regarding the involvement, if any, of student organisations, faculty members, research scholars, alumni or outsiders.
The BCI’s subsequent decision marks a reversal of the blanket enrolment restriction issued earlier the same day. The Council has made it clear that the professional prospects of students who were not responsible for the alleged conduct cannot be prejudiced on a collective basis.
The inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the campaign, however, remains relevant, with the BCI indicating that any further decision would be taken after considering the report furnished by the NALSAR Vice-Chancellor.
The post BCI reverses NALSAR enrolment freeze, Allows all 2026 graduates to join State Bar Councils appeared first on India Legal.