The Supreme Court on Thursday pulled up the Bar Council of India (BCI) for issuing a circular that sought to stop the enrolment of NALSAR University of Law’s 2026 graduating students as advocates.
NALSAR, based in Hyderabad, Telangana, recently saw protests by students after reports said Chief Justice of India Suryakant would attend the university’s convocation. In the wake of the agitation, the BCI had directed state bar councils not to enrol any student graduating in 2026 until an inquiry into the protest was completed.
Following backlash, the BCI withdrew the circular within hours. However, a petition challenging the circular was filed in the Supreme Court, which took up the matter as an urgent hearing.
During the hearing, the CJI termed the move “completely unnecessary” and said he had been an active student protester in the past. Calling it a matter between him and the students, he questioned what right the BCI had to intervene.
The court also directed that no action be taken against NALSAR students or faculty and issued notice to the BCI seeking its response on the circular.
