Bar Council chief’s NALSAR order bypassed colleagues, insiders say

Bar Council of India (BCI) chairman Manan Kumar Mishra issued the August 13 directive against NALSAR law students without consulting colleagues, five BCI office-bearers told The Indian Express. The order, which barred the 2026 graduating batch from enrolling with state bar councils, was published on BCI letterhead and only then circulated for approval in a WhatsApp group, where 10 of 19 members approved it, at least three opposed it, and others sought changes.

The controversy, sparked after NALSAR students objected to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant as their convocation chief guest, has now raised questions about internal governance at the BCI. Advocate M Varadhan has filed a Supreme Court petition seeking limits on repeated terms for the BCI chairman. Mishra, who has headed the council since November 2014, was re-elected in March 2025 for a seventh consecutive term. The Hindu notes that the BCI rules prescribe a two-year term but set no overall ceiling.

Meanwhile, students at NLSIU, Bengaluru, have issued a statement signed by 165 graduating students, 409 current students, and 128 alumni, calling Mishra's actions a "witch hunt" and demanding an unconditional apology from the BCI to NALSAR. They also objected to Mishra and CJI Surya Kant attending their own convocation. The Supreme Court has issued notice to the BCI and sought its response in the matter.