'It's between me and students', says CJI Surya Kant slamming BCI circular against NALSAR students

Synopsis

The Supreme Court strongly disapproved the Bar Council of India's withdrawn order. Chief Justice Surya Kant stated the Bar Council had no business interfering. The court issued notice and prohibited punitive action against NALSAR students and faculty. Students were encouraged to enroll and join the Supreme Court bar. This action serves as a fitting answer to those causing impediments.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday strongly disapproved of the Bar Council of India's (BCI) now-withdrawn order that no law student of NALSAR Hyderabad's 2026 batch would be allowed to enrol as advocates on account of their campaign against Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant.

Heading a three-member bench CJI Kant slammed the BCI's move.

"Naturally, this is absolutely uncalled for. It's a dialogue between students and me. Who are they (BCI) to raise an issue? This is totally uncalled for. In my student days I have been actively involved in student activities. Assuming, even if they are wrong, they have a right to protest. BCI doesn't have any business," CJI Kant verbally remarked.

The remarks were made after Senior Advocate K Parameshwar mentioned the matter this morning before the bench.

Notwithstanding that the BCI withdrew the notice, the Bench issued notice on the plea and made it clear that no punitive action should be taken against NALSAR or any of its students or faculty or any other national law university by the BCI.

"..No punitive action shall be taken against students or faculty of any national law university/law university...The pending circular has been withdrawn. Be that as it may, let a counter affidavit be filed within two weeks. No punitive action is to be taken against students of NALSAR in respect of the incidents mentioned in the subject letters," the Bench ordered.

Speaking for the bench, CJI Kant added "Even in young days somebody makes a wrong statement that doesn't mean they don't have the right to protest. Please tell all the students (of NALSAR) to get enrolled, join Supreme Court bar; we will empanel them for legal aid cases. This will be the befitting answer to all those who caused impediment in their professional career."