Supreme Court rules that BCI has no power to punish law students
The Supreme Court of India ruled that the Bar Council of India lacks the authority to initiate disciplinary action against law students. The court declared letters threatening to bar students from future enrollment as obsolete following a petition by NALSAR graduates.
Why it matters
This ruling protects student freedom of speech and association by limiting the regulatory reach of professional legal bodies over non-practicing individuals.
Supreme Court of India declares Bar Council of India (BCI) has no jurisdiction or power to initiate any disciplinary or punitive action against law students. Its disciplinary powers under the Advocates Act, 1961, are limited only to registered advocates.
The order from the Supreme Court came in a petition filed by two former NALSAR graduates seeking legal action against the Bar Council of India and chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra for its aborted move to ban the professional enrolment of the 2026 batch students over their objection to have the CJI as chief guest for their convocation.
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