CJI criticises BCI's interference in dialogue between him and NALSAR students
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant criticized the Bar Council of India (BCI) for interfering in a "dialogue" between him and NALSAR students regarding his invitation as chief guest for their convocation. The BCI had issued a directive to stop the enrollment of NALSAR's 2026 batch after students expressed antipathy towards the CJI's visit, a directive later dropped due to public criticism. The Supreme Court barred BCI from coercive actions, emphasizing that the right to profession cannot be threatened for dissent and that BCI must act within legal bounds, not interfering with university autonomy or student expression.
Key Points
- CJI Surya Kant criticized the BCI for interfering in a matter between him and NALSAR students.
- The BCI had attempted to prevent the enrollment of NALSAR's 2026 batch due to student dissent, an action later retracted.
- The Supreme Court affirmed that the right to a profession cannot be jeopardized for expressing dissent.
- The court emphasized that regulatory bodies like the BCI must operate within legal limits and respect university autonomy.
- The BCI's directive was deemed an overreach, creating a chilling effect on free expression.
Exam Facts
- Chief Justice of India: Surya Kant.
- Bar Council of India (BCI) directive against NALSAR's 2026 batch.
- Advocates Act, 1961 & BCI Rules of Legal Education define BCI's powers.
- Supreme Court struck down the 1995 judgment in Indian Council of Legal Aid & Advice v. Bar Council of India.
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