Pressure is mounting on Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Mishra after BCI Co-Chair YR Sadashiv Reddy called for his resignation and demanded an independent probe into alleged irregularities in the functioning of the statutory legal body.
Reddy has raised a series of allegations concerning recruitment, financial management, appointments, law college approvals and decisions affecting law students. His demands come days after the controversy involving students of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad.
According to a report by India TV, Reddy has detailed his concerns in a six-page letter and argued that the BCI cannot function as the personal organisation of any individual because it is a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament.
He has sought greater transparency and accountability in the functioning of the organisation, which has a key role in regulating the legal profession in India.
Recruitment process questioned
One of the major issues highlighted by Reddy relates to appointments within the BCI.
He alleged that certain appointments were made without a transparent recruitment procedure and claimed that he was not given access to recruitment advertisements, selection committee details or merit lists.
Reddy has also alleged that some BCI employees have personal or family connections with the chairman. He has demanded that recruitment-related records be disclosed and the appointment process be independently examined.
₹150 crore transfer under scrutiny
Reddy has also raised questions about the BCI’s financial affairs, particularly the creation of BCI Trust PEARL-First.
According to the allegations in his letter, the trust was established in September 2020 and a proposal was subsequently made to transfer approximately ₹150 crore from the BCI to the newly created trust.
Reddy claimed that he and some other members opposed the transfer but that the money was moved despite their objections.
He has sought an independent audit of the accounts of both the BCI and BCI Trust PEARL-First, while also demanding greater disclosure about the trust and its governing documents.
Law college approval process faces allegations
Another major allegation concerns the approval and renewal of approval for law colleges.
Reddy claimed that complaints had been received alleging that colleges seeking approval or extension were asked to make financial “contributions” ranging from ₹25 lakh to ₹50 lakh and, in some cases, up to ₹1 crore.
He has called for an investigation into the allegations and demanded that any collection of money from law colleges, universities or their managements in connection with approvals be stopped.
If established, such allegations could raise serious questions about the regulatory process governing legal education in the country.
Family appointments also questioned
Reddy has further alleged that relatives or family members were given significant positions within the BCI and institutions linked to it.
He has questioned whether the creation and functioning of such institutions, including their budgets and administrative structures, were properly presented before the BCI Council.
The letter also raises questions about the BCI’s role in approving law colleges while simultaneously being associated with educational institutions.
NALSAR row adds to pressure
The latest demand follows the controversy surrounding the 2026 batch of students at NALSAR University of Law.
Reddy alleged that on August 13, the BCI chairman’s office directed state bar councils not to enrol students from the university’s 2026 batch until further orders.
According to his account, the decision was taken without being placed before the full BCI Council. The instruction reportedly triggered protests before being withdrawn within hours.
Mishra later expressed regret over the episode.
Reddy has criticised the episode and questioned the decision to threaten the enrolment of an entire batch of students over their expression of views.
State Bar Councils also figure in allegations
Reddy has alleged that factional disputes within several State Bar Councils intensified during Mishra’s tenure.
He claimed that BCI decisions were, on some occasions, issued in favour of particular factions without the matter being adequately discussed by the full council.
These allegations form part of Reddy’s wider demand for a more transparent decision-making system within the BCI.
Reddy questions Mishra’s long tenure
Reddy has also raised questions over Mishra’s continued tenure as BCI chairman.
He argued that the chairman’s term is supposed to last two years and questioned Mishra’s continued presence in the position since 2012, including his re-election in 2025.
According to Reddy, the issue raises questions about the functioning of the BCI’s internal electoral mechanism.
What has Reddy demanded?
Reddy has called for Mishra to resign within 15 days and has sought several institutional measures to address his concerns.
His demands include:
- Calling a special BCI meeting to discuss the allegations.
- Making relevant records available to BCI members.
- Conducting an independent audit of BCI and BCI Trust PEARL-First accounts.
- Stopping financial collections from law colleges and universities linked to approval processes.
- Publishing details of BCI employees on the organisation’s website.
Reddy has also argued that the controversy has moved beyond the BCI’s internal affairs, pointing to protests by lawyers and concerns raised by young lawyers and student groups.
The allegations in Reddy’s letter have not, by themselves, established wrongdoing. An independent investigation and examination of the relevant records would be required to determine whether the alleged irregularities occurred and whether the BCI’s actions complied with applicable rules.
