The Bar Council of India (BCI) has officially concluded its proceedings regarding the recent controversy involving the graduating class of NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad. According to BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra, the decision to end the inquiry was influenced by the perspectives and reactions from Senior Advocates, members of the Bar, and concerned citizens.
BCI’s Decision to Close Proceedings
Chairman Mishra explained, “After evaluating the feedback from esteemed legal professionals and the general public, and upon confirmation that the 2026 graduating class of NALSAR was not involved in any disruptive activities, the Bar Council of India has resolved to terminate the proceedings. Consequently, NALSAR is not required to undertake any further actions.”
Advice for Future Lawyers
In his statement, Mishra extended his best wishes to the students for their future careers. He encouraged them to express their views candidly but with a sense of respect and decorum for their institution. Emphasizing the importance of maintaining the dignity of the judiciary, he remarked, “While dissent is a fundamental aspect of democracy, public disparagement can often be counterproductive.”
Sequence of Events Leading to Resolution
The clarification from the BCI follows two significant communications issued on August 13. Initially, the BCI released a circular prohibiting the entire 2026 batch from enrolling as advocates. This was swiftly followed by another circular that rescinded the previous decision but maintained a call for an inquiry into those responsible for orchestrating the protest against the Chief Justice of India’s invitation to the convocation.
In response, NALSAR’s Vice-Chancellor, Srikrishna Deva Rao, stated that the university would first assess, based on its governance protocols, whether such an inquiry was a legitimate exercise of its authority. This was prior to Mishra’s announcement.
