BCI co-chairman seeks chairman Mishra’s resignation, alleges Rs 150 crore fund transfer

The Co-Chairman of the Bar Council of India (BCI) has demanded the immediate resignation of the body's Chairman, Manan Kumar Mishra, on several grounds, including the now-withdrawn directive to state bar councils not to enrol graduates of the NALSAR University, Hyderabad batch.

Rs 150 crore transfer allegation

The BCI Co-Chairman and senior advocate in a letter to Mishra on Friday (August 22) levelled several serious allegations against him, including the alleged diversion of Rs. 150 crores of Council funds to a private trust controlled by the BCI chairman. He further alleged that Mishra’s family members have been appointed to several positions without following any proper process.

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“…This Council has drifted very far from that standard…. I call upon you, in the plainest terms, to tender your resignation from the office of Chairman... forthwith,” stated Reddy as quoted by Live Law.

Elaborating further, Reddy alleged that the BCI was deliberately made to take a back seat and in its place a new trust called 'BCI Trust PEARL – First' was registered on September 17, 2020, adding that it’s Mishra who handpicked its trustees.

Question on trust deed

Reddy further alleged that a resolution was moved to transfer of Rs. 150 crores of BCI funds to the trust.

“…I know of no provision of the Advocates Act, 1961 which permits the corpus of a statutory regulator to be transferred to a private trust registered by its own Chairman”, stated Reddy, adding that no BCI member has seen a copy of the trust deed.

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“…If this is correct- and I have received nothing from your office to indicate that it is not-... it is a matter of the utmost gravity. The power of approval and renewal under the Advocates Act is a regulatory power. It is not a license to raise funds”, stated Reddy.

Family appointments questioned

Reddy further alleged that a large share of the BCI staff comprises persons personally connected to Mishra, including members of his family. He claimed that the Council has not been shown any advertisements, selection committee records or merit lists supporting these appointments.

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The letter also takes strong exception to the August 13, 2026 direction issued from the Chairman’s office, asking State Bar Councils not to enrol the graduating batch of NALSAR University, Hyderabad. According to Reddy, the direction was issued without placing any material before the Council and without an authorising resolution.

Slams NALSAR directive

“…That single act...has done more damage to the standing of this Council than anything else in its history”, Reddy asserts.

The direction was withdrawn within hours after condemnation from the Supreme Court Bar Association and the Supreme Court. Reddy’s letter described the move as a 'reprisal for having held an opinion'.