BCI freezes NALSAR 2026 graduates’ enrolment over CJI Surya Kant row, withdraws order hours later

The Bar Council of India (BCI) on Thursday evening withdrew its order freezing the enrolment of the entire 2026 graduating batch of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, just hours after directing all state bar councils not to enrol students from the batch pending an inquiry into a campaign opposing Chief Justice of India Surya Kant’s participation in the university’s convocation.

In a late-evening communication, BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra said the Council had “thoroughly discussed and deliberated” on his earlier order and decided to modify the enrolment ban.

The Council, he said, was of the view that the vast majority of NALSAR’s 2026 graduating students were innocent and had not intended to disrespect the CJI.

“Accordingly, the Council modifies the order of chairman with regard to the ban on the enrolment of the NALSAR students with the State Bar Councils. All the students will be entitled to get enrolled with the state bar councils of their choice,” the amended order said.

BCI to continue inquiry into CJI controversy

While lifting the blanket freeze, the BCI said its factual inquiry into the controversy would continue.

The fresh communication said the Council had received reports from “reliable sources” that a small number of teachers and outsiders may have played a role in “instigating the innocent students”.

“The Council will wait for the inquiry report of the learned vice-chancellor and the further action will be taken after receipt of the report,” Mishra said.

The reversal came within hours of the BCI’s earlier communication, also dated August 13, directing all state bar councils not to enrol any student who obtained a law degree from NALSAR in 2026 “till further orders”.

The initial order had sought an authenticated report from the university identifying those who allegedly initiated, organised, coordinated or mobilised the campaign against the CJI’s proposed participation in the convocation. It also sought details of representations, signatories, meetings, social-media groups, media interactions and any calls for boycott or disruption.

The BCI had said the interim freeze was necessary because allowing enrolment while the inquiry was pending could potentially frustrate the process.

The amended order, however, makes clear that the blanket restraint will not continue. “No student shall be made to suffer without any fault on his part,” Mishra said.

What is the NALSAR-CJI controversy?

The controversy began after a section of NALSAR students opposed the proposed participation of CJI Surya Kant as the chief guest at the university’s convocation.

The university had confirmed that Justice Kant was invited as chief guest, although the convocation dates had not yet been finalised and it was awaiting his response.

A representation was submitted on July 23 by 70 members of the outgoing LLB batch, with students from other batches subsequently expressing solidarity.

The students’ objections followed remarks made by CJI Kant in the Supreme Court while hearing a plea concerning alleged police excesses during student protests in Delhi.

In their representation, the students said they were concerned by the refusal of the bench led by the CJI to urgently entertain the plea and by remarks made when a lawyer sought to place videographic material relating to the alleged police action before the court.