Now Reading: BCI reverses ban on Nalsar 2026 graduates over CJI protest
-
01
BCI reverses ban on Nalsar 2026 graduates over CJI protest
The Bar Council of India (BCI) on Thursday withdrew its earlier direction barring State Bar Councils from enrolling NALSAR University of Law's 2026 graduates as advocates. The reversal came hours after BCI…
The Story in Brief
The Bar Council of India (BCI) on Thursday withdrew its earlier direction barring State Bar Councils from enrolling NALSAR University of Law's 2026 graduates as advocates. The reversal came hours after BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra had ordered the ban following a campaign by some students against Chief Justice of India Surya Kant's participation in the university's convocation.
The BCI Council said it found that 'vast majority of the students were innocent' and not inclined to disrespect the CJI. It added that 'some reliable sources' suggested a handful of teachers and outsiders instigated the students. The council will now await an inquiry report from the NALSAR Vice-Chancellor before taking further action.
The Indian Opinion
The BCI's climbdown is welcome, but the original order was a dangerous overreach. Punishing an entire graduating class for a protest by a few, even if misguided, smacks of collective punishment, which the law abhors. The CJI's office deserves respect, but students have the right to dissent within lawful means. The real test now is whether the promised inquiry against the handful of teachers and outsiders is fair and transparent, or whether it becomes a witch-hunt. What exactly did those 'reliable sources' tell the BCI? That word must be made public.
Sources (2): livelaw.in, timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
