Bar Council of India chairman Manan Kumar Mishra

| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The Bombay Bar Association has issued a letter regarding the conduct of Bar Council of India chairman Manan Kumar Mishra regarding the directive and subsequent withdrawal of a letter to State Bar Councils not to enrol students from NALSAR University's 2026 graduating batch as advocates.In a letter on August 18, 2026, the Association has stated that Mr. Mishra’s apology issued on August 15 is not an expression of remorse. The Association has noted that Mr. Mishra continues to hold the position of chairman and that he ought to have resigned from the post.Two-day meetThe Association’s Standing Committee convened a meeting on August 17 and 18 in which it discussed events that occurred between August 13 and August 15 over the enrolment of advocates.The committee has described the BCI’s letter on August 13 as an abuse of the Chairman's office. The letter was issued without providing the students an opportunity to be heard, the panel said, adding that this letter caused prejudice to the professional careers of the graduating NALSAR students.The Association has supported the BCI’s subsequent decision to close proceedings against the students. The Association has described this decision as a step in the right direction and that it restores faith in the Bar Council of India.Outside BCI’s scopeThe Association has noted that the office of the BCI chairman carries significant responsibility. It also stated that the August 13 communication was outside the scope of the BCI’s purview and expressed criticism that Mr. Mishra issued orders against the NALSAR law students while occupying the post of chairman.The BCI chairman issued a letter on August 13 stating that State Bar Councils should not enrol students from NALSAR University’s 2026 graduating batch as advocates. The letter followed reports that a section of students had opposed the invited to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant for the convocation. The opposition was regarding his comments on the NEET student protests.The BCI chairman dropped proceedings against the batch on August 14 via a social media post. This followed criticism from senior advocates and other Bar members.The Student Bar Council of NALSAR University condemned the August 13 letter over denial to register the graduating students as graduates. The Council demanded an apology and stated that the letter reflected a narrative in which dissent is not engaged with but explained as the work of external actors. The Council stated that the Chairman’s actions were not appropriate for his position.A writ petition has been filed before the Supreme Court challenging the provisions that allow individuals to continue in top posts of the BCI and State Bar Councils. Published - August 20, 2026 04:57 pm IST