Nagarathna Urges Legal Community To Reflect Amid Controversy Surrounding NALSAR

Supreme Court judge Justice BV Nagarathna on Saturday called for introspection by Bar Councils, saying they must examine their role in maintaining professional ethics, morality and competence and work towards earning the respect of their members. Her remarks came against the backdrop of the recent controversy involving the Bar Council of India (BCI) and students of the National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR) in Hyderabad. Speaking at the 13th convocation of National Law University, Delhi, Justice Nagarathna said Bar Councils at both the central and state levels have an important responsibility towards the legal profession. “The Bar Councils, whether the Central or the States, must introspect on their role and importance in upholding professional ethics, morality and professional competence,” she said.

She added that a situation in which a Bar Council does not command the respect of its members should be viewed as a concern for the profession. “When a Bar Council does not earn the respect of its members, it is not a good sign for the legal profession,” Justice Nagarathna said. Her comments highlighted the importance of professional bodies maintaining credibility among lawyers and law students. Although she did not directly refer to the NALSAR controversy in the remarks cited, they came shortly after the dispute between the BCI and the university's graduating students had drawn attention from the Supreme Court. The controversy began after the BCI on August 13 directed state Bar Councils not to enrol members of NALSAR's 2026 graduating batch as advocates.

The decision came amid a dispute surrounding a student campaign opposing the invitation of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant as the chief guest for the university's convocation. The BCI's intervention triggered a confrontation with the students and subsequently came under scrutiny before the Supreme Court. The enrolment freeze was later withdrawn by the BCI, which also decided to close the proceedings against the graduating batch. The development ended the immediate threat to the students' enrolment as advocates. BCI chairman Manan Kumar Mishra subsequently apologised to the students over the episode, following the withdrawal of the action.

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Justice Nagarathna's comments place the controversy within a broader discussion about the responsibilities of statutory bodies regulating the legal profession. Bar Councils are responsible for functions that include maintaining professional standards and regulating the conduct of advocates. Her emphasis on ethics, morality and competence underlined the expectation that such institutions should retain the confidence of the lawyers and students they oversee. The NALSAR episode had attracted particular attention because it involved a leading law university and a large group of graduating students at a critical point in their transition into the legal profession.

The BCI's initial decision threatened to delay or complicate their enrolment before the regulator reversed its position. The subsequent apology further brought the council's handling of the matter into focus. Against this backdrop, Justice Nagarathna's call for introspection is significant for the legal profession. Her remarks suggest that the authority of Bar Councils depends not only on their statutory powers but also on the confidence and respect they command among their members. As the profession continues to debate the role and functioning of its regulatory institutions, the judge's observations underscore the need for Bar Councils to uphold professional standards while maintaining institutional credibility.

Also Read: CJI Surya Kant Slams BCI Over NALSAR Enrolment Ban: "Totally Uncalled For"