New Delhi: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has questioned the Bar Council of India’s decision to stop the enrolment of NALSAR University of Law’s 2026 batch graduates as advocates.
The BCI had directed State Bar Councils not to enrol the students after protests over the CJI’s invitation to NALSAR’s annual convocation. The circular was withdrawn later the same day.
During a Supreme Court hearing, CJI Surya Kant said students have a right to protest. He said the issue was a dialogue between him and the students and that the BCI had no role in it.
The Chief Justice also said that even if students make a wrong statement, they should not lose their right to protest. He encouraged the students to complete their enrolment and join the Supreme Court Bar.
Senior Advocate K Parameshwar told the bench that the matter still raised concerns despite the withdrawal of the circular. He questioned the BCI’s intervention in the university matter.
The Supreme Court issued notice to the BCI and said no punitive action should be taken against NALSAR students or faculty over the incidents mentioned in the BCI letters.
Justice Joymalya Bagchi also questioned whether the BCI had been properly convened before taking such a decision.