New Delhi, Aug 13 : The Bar Council of India (BCI) on Thursday withdrew its earlier order barring 2026 graduates of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, from enrolling with state bar councils, saying the majority of students were not involved in the campaign opposing Chief Justice of India Surya Kant’s proposed participation in the university’s convocation.
The BCI said all students graduating from NALSAR in 2026 would now be eligible to seek enrolment with the state bar council of their choice.
However, the council said its inquiry into the campaign would continue and further action could be taken after receiving a report from the university’s Vice-Chancellor.
“After detailed deliberation, the BCI has modified its earlier directions concerning NALSAR. All 2026 passed-out students of NALSAR will now be entitled to seek enrolment with the State Bar Council of their choice,” BCI chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra said in a statement.
The council said it had sought a factual report from the NALSAR Vice-Chancellor within three days, including details of those who were allegedly involved in initiating, organising, coordinating or mobilising the campaign.
Earlier on Thursday, the BCI had directed all state bar councils not to enrol any student graduating from NALSAR in 2026 as an advocate until further orders.The action followed a campaign by a section of NALSAR students against the reported invitation to CJI Surya Kant to attend the university’s upcoming convocation.
The students’ objection was linked to remarks reportedly made by the Chief Justice during a Supreme Court hearing concerning alleged police action against protesters at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
The BCI said it had taken note of an “organised campaign” and sought details of representations, petitions and other communications submitted to the university regarding the CJI’s proposed participation.
It also asked the university to identify those who were principally involved in drafting, circulating, coordinating or mobilising the campaign, as well as those involved in media communication and online coordination.
The council had earlier said that students seeking entry into the legal profession were expected to maintain dignity and respect for the judiciary.
The initial blanket order drew criticism from several lawyers and political leaders, who questioned the BCI’s jurisdiction to prevent an entire graduating batch from enrolling.
Senior advocates also termed the move excessive and argued that students could not be subjected to collective punishment for the actions of a section of their batch.
The BCI, however, said no student would be made to suffer without fault on their part and that any further action would be based on the findings of the inquiry.
The final decision will be taken after the NALSAR Vice-Chancellor submits the report, the council said.
