BCI chief Manan Kumar Mishra under scrutiny after hasty ban on NALSAR graduates
The Bar Council of India briefly barred NALSAR University graduates from practising law, a move it quickly reversed, raising questions about the regulator's conduct under long-time head Manan Kumar Mishra.
A controversial ruling by the Bar Council of India barred recent graduates of Hyderabad's NALSAR University from being registered as advocates, only to be rescinded shortly thereafter, sparking debate over the council's jurisdiction. The incident has shone a spotlight on the regulator, which has been headed by senior advocate and BJP MP Manan Kumar Mishra for 14 years. Mishra has previously claimed that 35-40% of lawyers possess fraudulent qualifications, suggesting systemic failures in vetting.
Observers note that the BCI lacks the legal power to enrol advocates, a role reserved for state bar councils, and that the Supreme Court has rebuked the body for overstepping. Additional criticism focuses on the unchecked growth of law colleges, some allegedly selling degrees without proper instruction, and the council's perceived reluctance to discipline errant lawyers or curb strike actions.
Why it matters
The episode questions the BCI's legal authority and its effectiveness in safeguarding the integrity of India's legal profession.
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