The Bar Council of India has withdrawn its decision to bar all 2026 law graduates of NALSAR University of Law from enrolling as advocates, reversing the move within hours after widespread backlash.
The regulator had initially paused enrollments for the NALSAR 2026 batch, citing an alleged smear campaign against Chief Justice Surya Kant's presence at the university's convocation. Students had recently opposed the Chief Justice's participation as chief guest, pointing to his remarks during court proceedings about alleged police excesses against NEET protesters in Delhi.
The BCI had demanded a comprehensive report from NALSAR within three days, identifying those behind the campaign, and said the situation would be reviewed on August 19, 2026. BCI chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra had said no student who obtained a law degree from NALSAR in 2026 should be enrolled as an advocate until the council issued further directions.
After significant backlash, the BCI revised its directive, allowing students from the 2026 cohort to pursue enrollment with state bar councils. The regulator said the majority of students were uninvolved and innocent. It separately sought a factual report from the university on the persons allegedly instrumental in initiating and organising the campaign concerning the Chief Justice.
The Campaign for Judicial Justice and Reforms, or CJP, had threatened to protest if the BCI chairman did not withdraw the order. CJP's chief spokesperson Saurav Das said the group would protest if the order was not withdrawn, while founder Abhijeet Dipke recalled his first post on the issue.