BCI rescinds NALSAR students’ enrolment ban; university EC to examine if inquiry demand is ‘constitutional’

The National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR), Hyderabad, will place the Bar Council of India’s demand for an inquiry before the executive council. The legal education regulator had sought an inquiry and report from NALSAR Hyderabad on students opposing the presence of the Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant, at their convocation. The university has said the EC will examine whether such an inquiry will be ‘a constitutional exercise of its powers’. 

On Thursday, the Bar Council of India first placed, and then lifted, a ban on the enrolment of the university’s graduating Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Legislative Law (BA LLB) honours (Hons) students from the 2026 batch.

NALSAR said it initially received a letter from the BCI on August 13 stating that none of the new BA LLB graduates of the 2026 batch could be enrolled. The BCI also wanted an inquiry report from the university regarding students involved in opposing the CJI’s presence at the NALSAR convocation – a longstanding convention.

The university subsequently received another BCI letter, which cancelled the earlier directive to state bar councils disallowing the enrolment of NALSAR graduates.

However, NALSAR said the second communication still requires its vice-chancellor to submit an inquiry report into the persons involved in the matter.

NALSAR executive council to examine BCI inquiry

According to NALSAR, “Given the nature of the request, the University will have to consider whether conducting such an inquiry will be a constitutional exercise of its powers. To assist the university in assessing 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.”

To examine the issue, NALSAR said the matter will be placed before its executive council. The university described the executive council as its highest decision-making body under the laws through which the institution was established.

The university informed that its executive council will assess whether the proposed inquiry falls within its constitutional powers and is permissible under its governance framework.

NALSAR added that once the consultation process with the council is completed, the outcome will be communicated to BCI.

NALSAR students opposed CJI Surya Kant invite

The earlier decision came after students from NALSAR approached the university administration on July 23, urging it to reconsider the tradition of inviting the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant as the chief guest at the convocation. 

The students had raised concerns over his conduct and remarks concerning the proceedings related to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) protests at Jantar Mantar, saying these were not in line with the university’s values.

Following the campaign, the BCI had also asked NALSAR to submit a report identifying those involved in initiating, planning, and leading the campaign against CJI Surya Kant.

With the latest directive, the enrolment restriction has now been withdrawn, allowing the 2026 graduating students to proceed with their enrolment.

BCI chairman says NALSAR issue closed

In a video posted by the Press Trust of India (PTI) on X on Thursday, Manan Mishra, BCI chairman, said the initial order was issued “suddenly and in haste” but was withdrawn within 40 minutes and subsequently modified. 

He said the matter was later discussed in detail by the council, which collectively decided that there was no need for any inquiry and that the issue was now closed. Mishra added that the BCI’s objective was to ensure that law students did not face any inconvenience and that there was no clash with the judiciary.