Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has questioned the Bar Council of India’s decision to stop the enrolment of law graduates from NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, saying the regulatory body should not have intervened in the matter involving the students.
The CJI made the observations while the Supreme Court considered a challenge to the BCI order. The court also directed the BCI to respond to the issue and said that no punitive action should be taken against NALSAR students or faculty members for the time being.
CJI questions BCI’s intervention
During the hearing, CJI Surya Kant made it clear that he was unhappy with the BCI’s decision to issue the order.
He said the matter involved communication between the students and the Chief Justice and questioned why the BCI had issued a circular in the matter.
The Chief Justice also stressed that students have a right to express their views and participate in lawful protests.
He recalled his own college days and said that students should be permitted to raise their voices through lawful means, even when their views may not necessarily be correct.
Supreme Court seeks response from BCI
The Supreme Court has sought a response from the Bar Council of India regarding its decision affecting NALSAR graduates.
The court also made it clear that students and faculty members should not face punitive action in connection with the issue.
The development comes after senior advocate K Parameshwar approached the Supreme Court challenging the BCI’s order.
Three-judge bench to hear matter again
A three-judge bench headed by CJI Surya Kant heard the matter. Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana are also part of the bench.
The Supreme Court has agreed to examine the issue further and will take up the matter again after two weeks.
The case could have wider implications for the relationship between law universities, their students and professional regulatory bodies, particularly when students raise concerns or participate in lawful protests.
For now, the Supreme Court has sought the BCI’s response before taking the matter forward.
