NALSAR Row: Supreme Court Says BCI Has No Power to Regulate Students’ Conduct
Top court quashes two BCI notifications, holds that universities have the authority to act against students under their own rules and regulations.
NEW DELHI, Sept 3: The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that the Bar Council of India (BCI) does not have statutory authority to regulate the conduct of law students, making it clear that disciplinary action against students falls within the domain of their educational institutions.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana delivered the ruling while hearing the controversy surrounding the BCI’s intervention in the NALSAR University of Law matter in Hyderabad.
The court set aside two notifications issued by the BCI in connection with the dispute, despite the fact that both directives were withdrawn within hours of being issued following widespread criticism.
The bench observed that the BCI’s regulatory jurisdiction over the legal profession comes into play when students enter the profession as advocates. Until then, it cannot exercise statutory control over their conduct as students.
The court said educational institutions are responsible for dealing with student conduct and may take appropriate action in accordance with their respective rules, regulations and disciplinary frameworks.
Dispute over proposed CJI participation
The controversy began on August 14 when the BCI directed state bar councils not to enrol NALSAR’s 2026 graduates as advocates until further orders.
The directive followed allegations concerning a campaign by students opposing the proposed participation of Chief Justice Surya Kant in the university’s convocation.
The issue subsequently reached the Supreme Court, where the Chief Justice had expressed strong disapproval of the BCI’s intervention.
During the proceedings, CJI Kant questioned the basis of the BCI’s involvement, describing the matter as a dialogue between students and the Chief Justice and terming the intervention “totally uncalled for”.
The latest ruling clarifies the limits of the BCI’s statutory powers and places responsibility for addressing student conduct with the concerned educational institutions.
