Supreme Court raps bar council, asks it to stay out of law students' discipline
The court said universities must handle student discipline and that the BCI cannot bar future enrolment before a person applies to become an advocate.
- On Thursday, the Supreme Court ruled that the Bar Council of India lacks statutory authority to initiate disciplinary proceedings against law students, clarifying that student conduct falls under the jurisdiction of educational institutions.
- The dispute began when NALSAR University students protested the Chief Justice's invitation to their convocation, prompting the Bar Council of India to direct state Bar Councils to stop enrolling the 2026 batch as advocates.
- A three-judge bench led by CJI Surya Kant stated the Advocates Act does not empower the Bar Council to regulate student conduct, emphasizing it cannot blacklist students before they become advocates.
- Bar Council chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra previously withdrew the directive and apologized, stating that "dissent is always welcomed in a democracy" and there was no reason for further action.
- The ruling establishes a clear distinction between the Bar Council's role in maintaining legal education standards and its limited powers over practicing advocates, ensuring educational institutions retain disciplinary authority over students.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Bar Council cannot take disciplinary action against law students, rules Supreme Court in NALSAR row
A three-judge bench headed by CJI Surya Kant observed that BCI and state Bar Councils have no statutory power to regulate the conduct of law unless they are enrolled as advocated. The observations were made amid the ongoing controversy over BCI's directive for NALSAR, which was revoked later.
Bar Council Has No Power To Punish Law Students: SC Pulls Up BCI In NALSAR Case
<p>The Supreme Court has ruled that the Bar Council of India (BCI) and State Bar Councils do not have the legal authority to take disciplinary action against students pursuing law.</p> <p>A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said the Advocates Act, 1961, does not empower the BCI to regulate the conduct of law students through disciplinary proceedings.</p> <p>The court clarified that while the BCI has the authority to p…
Bar Council can't take disciplinary action against law students: SC on Nalsar row
The Supreme Court set aside two Bar Council notifications over the Nalsar row, clarifying that the Council has no disciplinary jurisdiction over law students before they enrol as advocates.
BCI lacks power to regulate students conduct: SC on NALSAR row
The Supreme Court on Thursday held that the Bar Council of India (BCI) has no statutory power to regulate the conduct of law students, observing that it was for educational institutions to take action against students in accordance with their own regulatory norms. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana passed the order while dealing with the controversy arising out of the BCI’s action against studen…
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