Supreme Court: Bar councils cannot discipline law students

The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the Bar Council of India and state bar councils lack statutory authority to discipline law students, stating that only educational institutions can take such action under their own regulations. The ruling came from a bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, which determined the Advocates Act, 1961 grants no express or implied disciplinary power over students. The court declared all related BCI communications from August 13 as legally invalid. The case stemmed from BCI actions against NALSAR University students who objected to the CJI's convocation participation. The court set aside BCI notifications, which were withdrawn hours after issuance, and affirmed that disciplinary authority begins only after a law graduate registers as an advocate.