The Bar Council of India (BCI) on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, issued an order barring all students of Nalsar University of Law, Hyderabad, from practicing law for two years following a protest against Supreme Court Justice Surya Kant. However, the BCI swiftly retracted the order later the same day, citing an "error in communication" and "miscommunication."

The initial order, which stirred significant concern among the legal fraternity and students, stemmed from a protest that occurred on February 24, 2024, during a distinguished lecture and convocation ceremony at Nalsar University. During Justice Surya Kant's speech, students turned their backs, held placards, and staged a silent protest. Their grievances were reportedly linked to the Justice's alleged inaction concerning the Manipur ethnic violence and the electoral bonds case.

The BCI's initial decision stipulated that no Nalsar student would be permitted to enroll with any state Bar Council for a period of two years. This directive would have impacted current graduates as well as those who had passed out in previous years from the institution. BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra initially confirmed that the decision was taken "in principle" by the BCI Trust, based on a complaint received from the Telangana Bar Council regarding the students' "grave indiscipline" and "serious misconduct." The BCI viewed the protest as a direct affront to the judiciary and a violation of professional ethics, stating that such actions destabilize the dignity of the institution.

However, the situation quickly evolved. Following appeals from Nalsar University Vice-Chancellor Professor Srikrishna Deva Rao and intervention by the state Bar Council, the BCI moved to retract its punitive order.

  • Timeline of Events:
    • February 24, 2024: Nalsar students protest silently against Supreme Court Justice Surya Kant during a university event in Hyderabad.
    • May 29, 2024 (Morning): Bar Council of India issues an order banning all Nalsar students from practicing law for two years.
    • May 29, 2024 (Evening): BCI retracts the order, attributing it to an "error in communication" and "miscommunication."

BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra later clarified that while a complaint had been received, the immediate issuance of the barring order was "premature." He stated that the BCI would form a committee to thoroughly inquire into the matter before making any final decisions. The Nalsar Student Bar Council had described the initial barring order as "draconian" and an attempt to stifle dissent.

The retraction means that Nalsar University students are no longer subject to the two-year ban on practicing law. The BCI's next steps will involve the formation of an inquiry committee to investigate the details surrounding the protest and the subsequent complaint, with further action to be determined based on the committee's findings.