MUMBAI: Observing that “a large section of the students were condemned unheard”, the Bombay Bar Association (BBA) passed a resolution on Tuesday condemning a recent action by Manan Kumar Mishra, chairperson, Bar Council of India (BCI), as an “abuse of power”.The BBA resolution condemned Mishra’s issuance of a letter dated August 13, 2026, directing the vice-chancellor of NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad to submit a report and state bar councils not to enrol NALSAR graduates of 2026, only to withdraw the latter directive the same day.The controversy arose when NALSAR students opposed an invitation to the Chief Justice of India (CJI) to their graduation ceremony.“The Bombay Bar Association stands by the decision of the Bar Council of India to close the proceedings altogether, as a step in the right direction and a step which restores the faith in the institution of the Bar Council of India, in whom we continue to repose our faith,” the BBA said.It added that the office of the BCI chairperson is “undoubtedly an important position” and that the August 13 communication first issued by Mishra was “a direct attempt…to cause grave prejudice to the professional careers of students of NALSAR (passing-out batch of 2026). Such communication was uncalled for and reflects that the chairman took an extreme step against students, without regard to the principles governing the right to protest and freedom of speech and expression.”The BBA said it took note of the BCI chief’s “unilateral action” and said that, although a later communication dated August 13 withdrew the direction not to enrol the students, the direction to seek an inquiry report from NALSAR remained.In a tweet issued by Mishra at 00:37 hrs on August 14, 2026, he stated: “Bar Council of India has decided to close the proceedings altogether. No further action is required @NALSAR_Official.”The Supreme Court of India is “seized of the matter arising from the unfortunate events, which have arisen on account of actions of Mishra and the matter is now sub-judice,” the BBA said, noting that Mishra, in the meantime, issued a letter on August 15, 2026, which was “in the nature of an apology”.Mishra, through the first letter, “failed to uphold the dignity of the legal profession, constitutional freedoms and the principles of fairness and natural justice, while occupying the office of Chairman, Bar Council of India,” the BBA release said.The BBA resolution, signed by its president, senior advocate Niteen Thakker; chairperson, senior advocate Venkatesh Dhond; and secretary, advocate Naushad Engineer, expressed its “deepest anguish” that such a letter was issued against students who “do not fall within the purview of the Bar Council of India”. It also expressed its appreciation for the BCI having swiftly “reversed the order dated 13 August 2026, passed by Mr. Mishra against the law students”.“The issuance of an apology by Mr. Mishra on 15 August 2026 is clearly belated and nothing but an attempt to merely assuage the situation…” the BBA resolution said, adding, “in the fitness of things, he ought to have already resigned.”Mishra, a senior advocate and BJP MP, has been at the helm of the BCI for over a decade.
