The National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR) University of Law in Hyderabad is set to deliberate on the Bar Council of India’s (BCI) request for an inquiry report concerning the convocation event featuring Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant. This request will be evaluated by NALSAR’s Executive Council to determine its constitutional validity and compliance with the university’s governance standards.
The BCI initially issued two letters on August 13 regarding this matter. The first letter imposed a restriction, prohibiting the entire 2026 graduating class from enrolling as advocates. However, a subsequent letter issued just hours later rescinded this ban while maintaining the demand for a detailed inquiry report.
NALSAR Vice Chancellor Srikrishna Deva Rao emphasized the need for a thorough examination of the BCI’s request. “Given the nature of the request, the university must consider whether conducting such an inquiry aligns with its constitutional powers,” stated Rao. “To aid this determination, the matter will be presented to the Executive Council, the highest decision-making body of the university as established by statute.”
In a press release, the vice chancellor explained that the university’s governance regulations necessitate this careful review process to ensure any inquiry conducted is both constitutional and permissible. Following the Executive Council’s assessment, NALSAR will communicate its position to the BCI.
This process highlights the balancing act between regulatory oversight and institutional autonomy, as NALSAR seeks to uphold its governance principles while responding to the BCI’s inquiries.
