Bar Council Has No Power to Punish Students: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court ruled that the Bar Council of India (BCI) lacks jurisdiction to discipline or penalize law students, noting that the Advocates Act, 1961 only confers powers over registered advocates. The ruling came on a petition by NALSAR graduates challenging BCI's punitive actions and letters against students who protested against former Chief Justice Surya Kant's remarks. The apex court reaffirmed that only universities can discipline students, protecting student rights to free speech, dissent, and academic autonomy against regulatory overreach by professional bodies.
Key Points
- The Supreme Court ruled that the Bar Council of India has no statutory power under the Advocates Act, 1961 to discipline law students.
- The BCI's disciplinary powers are strictly limited to registered advocates, not students.
- The court protected university autonomy and students' constitutional rights to free speech and dissent in academic spaces.
- Only universities or competent educational authorities hold the jurisdiction to take disciplinary action against students.
Exam Facts
- The case involved NALSAR graduates represented by senior advocates K. Parameshwar and Rupali Samuel.
- The judgment analyzed the provisions of the Advocates Act, 1961 regarding regulatory jurisdiction.
- The three-judge Bench was headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant.
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