NEW DELHI: The Bar Council of India (BCI) has directed all state bar councils to halt the enrolment of any 2026 law graduate from NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, as an advocate until further orders. This follows an alleged organised campaign against the participation of Chief Justice Surya Kant in the university’s convocation ceremony.The directive was issued by bar council chairman Manan Kumar Mishra, who said the Council had taken note of reports and material in the public domain regarding an organised campaign at NALSAR’s convocation ceremony.The bar council has also sought an authenticated factual report from the university within three days and said the matter will be considered on August 19, after the vice-chancellor submits the report.The council has asked NALSAR to identify, on the basis of verifiable material, the persons allegedly instrumental in initiating, drafting, circulating, coordinating or mobilising the campaign. It has sought details of those involved in organising meetings, communicating with the media, administering social media or organised groups used for coordination, or proposing or mobilising any call for boycott, obstruction, disruption or organised non-participation in the convocation or any programme connected with the CJI.The bar council has also sought information on whether any student body, student bar council, students’ union or other recognised student organisation was involved in initiating, approving, coordinating or circulating the campaign. The university has also been asked to specify whether any faculty member, research scholar, alumnus or outsider participated in initiating, drafting, coordinating, advising or facilitating the campaign.In addition, the council has requested copies of relevant resolutions, minutes, agendas or other official records of meetings connected with the matter, and details of whether permission was sought or granted for any protest or organised activity and whether university rules governing student conduct or official functions were invoked.At the same time, the bar council clarified that participation in the representation or campaign would not automatically result in disqualification from enrolment. It said a distinction must be maintained between those who merely signed or supported a representation and those who organised or coordinated the campaign or proposed or mobilised an actual boycott, obstruction or disruption.The bar council said that where material concerning the conduct of a particular applicant is under statutory examination, completing enrolment during the pendency of such examination could create a fait accompli and render the examination ineffective.Accordingly, it directed that where the BCI specifically communicates the name of a person for further statutory consideration, no enrolment order should be passed in respect of that person and, if an application is already pending, the final decision should remain deferred during the inquiry.
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State bar councils have also been instructed to ensure that any person whose name is communicated by the bar council does not circumvent the pending examination by seeking enrolment before another state bar council. The council clarified that such communication at the preliminary stage would not itself constitute a conclusive finding of misconduct or disqualification.The bar council said any final adverse decision would be taken in accordance with the Advocates Act, 1961, the applicable rules and principles of natural justice.The communication further emphasised that legal education permits critical reasoning, debate and analysis of judicial decisions, but said there is a distinction between reasoned criticism and conduct which, if established after due examination, may involve intimidation, obstruction, organised disruption or disregard of institutional responsibilities attached to the legal profession.The communication has been issued to NALSAR University of Law as well as the secretaries of all state bar councils for necessary compliance.
