BCI swiftly reverses NALSAR enrolment ban, continues inquiry into CJI invite row

In a dramatic development, the Bar Council of India (BCI) on Thursday evening rolled back its decision to put on hold the enrolment of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad’s entire 2026 graduating batch, only hours after directing all state bar councils to stop enrolling students from the batch while an inquiry was conducted into a campaign against Chief Justice of India Surya Kant attending the university’s convocation.

In a communication sent late on Thursday, BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra said the Council had “thoroughly discussed and deliberated” on his earlier communication and changed the direction concerning the enrolment freeze. The Council, he said, was unanimously of the view that, based on the “latest report”, most of NALSAR’s 2026 graduates were innocent and had no intention of taking part in any action meant to show disrespect.

Teachers, outsiders under scrutiny

“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.

Also read | CJI Surya Kant’s NALSAR convocation invite draws student opposition

The BCI, however, will continue its fact-finding exercise into the controversy. The revised communication said the Council had received information from “reliable sources” suggesting that a small number of teachers and outsiders had 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 swift U-turn came just hours after the BCI’s first communication, also issued on August 13, in which Mishra had instructed all state bar councils not to enrol anyone who received a law degree from NALSAR in 2026 “till further orders”.

BCI outlines initial concerns

The original order had asked the university to submit an authenticated report naming those who had started, planned, coordinated or mobilised the campaign against the CJI’s proposed appearance at the convocation. It also sought details of representations, signatories, meetings, social media groups, media interactions and any calls for a boycott or disruption, along with information on the involvement of faculty members, research scholars, alumni, student organisations or outsiders.

Also read | Why CJI’s dismissal of CJP protest crackdown plea exposes gaps in suo motu rules

The first communication said the temporary freeze was required as allowing enrolment during the inquiry could undermine the proceedings. It also contained strong remarks on the suitability of individuals who, in the BCI’s view, had shown disregard for the highest judicial office, connecting such behaviour with the dignity, discipline and ethical standards expected of members of the legal profession.

The revised order has now clarified that the blanket restriction will not remain in force. “No student shall be made to suffer without any fault on his part,” Mishra said.

The row began after a section of NALSAR students objected to the proposed appearance of CJI Kant as chief guest at the university’s convocation. The university had confirmed that Justice Kant was invited as chief guest, while the convocation date had not yet been finalised and it was still awaiting a response to the invitation.

NALSAR weighs BCI inquiry

Meanwhile, NALSAR University of Law on Thursday said it will place the Bar Council of India's request for an inquiry into those involved in objecting to the invitation to CJI Surya Kant for the institution's convocation before its Executive Council.

The Executive Council is the university's highest decision-making body.

University Vice-Chancellor Srikrishna Deva Rao said in a statement late on Thursday that the university had received a letter from the BCI earlier in the day disallowing the enrolment of all graduating BA and LLB (Hons) students from the 2026 batch and seeking an inquiry report into those involved in the recent developments surrounding the upcoming convocation.

Also read | 'Don't waste our time,' says CJI as SC declines urgent listing on CJP protest plea

The initial letter was followed by another communication reversing the directive to state bar councils disallowing the enrolment of the graduating students, he said. However, the fresh letter retained the requirement that the vice-chancellor submit an inquiry report on those involved, he said.

"In order to assist the University, assess whether conducting such an inquiry would be constitutional and permissible under the University's governance regulations, the matter will be placed before the Executive Council of the University," Rao said.

Once the consultation process with the Executive Council is completed, the same will be communicated to the BCI, he added.