Supreme Court: BCI Lacks Power to Discipline Law Students in NALSAR Case

The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the Bar Council of India (BCI) lacks statutory authority to discipline law students, declaring its actions in the NALSAR University row were issued without jurisdiction. The court, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, stated the Advocates Act 1961 grants BCI no express or implied power over students, with disciplinary authority resting solely with their universities. It declared BCI's August 13 communication and subsequent modifications invalid, making its August 14 interim protection for students and faculty absolute. The dispute stemmed from NALSAR students opposing CJI Surya Kant as convocation chief guest. BCI had initially barred the 2026 graduates from enrollment but withdrew the directive within 24 hours, though the court still addressed the underlying legal question.