Bombay Bar Association Condemns BCI Chief Mishra Over Directives Against NALSAR Students
MUMBAI — The Bombay Bar Association passed a resolution on Tuesday condemning a recent action by Bar Council of India chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra as an abuse of power, observing that a large section of law students were condemned unheard.
The controversy followed Mishra's issuance of a letter dated August 13, 2026, directing the vice-chancellor of NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad to submit an inquiry report and instructing state bar councils not to enrol NALSAR graduates of 2026. The directive against enrolment was withdrawn later the same day. The issue originated when NALSAR students opposed an invitation extended to the Chief Justice of India for their graduation ceremony.
The Bombay Bar Association stated that the August 13 communication issued by Mishra was a direct attempt to cause grave prejudice to the professional careers of the passing-out batch of 2026. The association noted that the communication was uncalled for and reflected that the chairman took an extreme step without regard to principles governing the right to protest and freedom of speech and expression.
While the BCI chief later posted on social media on August 14 that the Bar Council of India decided to close the proceedings altogether, the BBA stated that his initial unilateral action failed to uphold the dignity of the legal profession, constitutional freedoms, and the principles of natural justice. The matter has since reached the Supreme Court of India and remains sub-judice.
The BBA resolution was signed by its president, senior advocate Niteen Thakker; chairperson, senior advocate Venkatesh Dhond; and secretary, advocate Naushad Engineer. The resolution expressed deep anguish that directives were issued against students who do not fall under the purview of the Bar Council of India.
Addressing a subsequent letter issued by Mishra on August 15, which was described as being in the nature of an apology, the BBA called the apology belated and an attempt to merely assuage the situation, adding that in the fitness of things, Mishra ought to have already resigned.
