The National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR), Hyderabad, is set to place the Bar Council of India’s (BCI) demand for an inquiry into a student-led campaign before its Executive Council, the university’s highest decision-making body.
The move comes after the BCI issued two communications on August 13 concerning the university’s 2026 graduating batch.
In its first communication, the BCI directed that students from the batch should not be enrolled as advocates. A second communication issued within hours withdrew that restriction, while continuing to seek an inquiry report identifying those involved in initiating, organising or mobilising the campaign over the proposed invitation to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant as the convocation’s chief guest.
NALSAR Vice Chancellor Srikrishna Deva Rao said the university would first determine whether carrying out such an inquiry falls within its constitutional powers and is consistent with its governance framework.
The issue will therefore be considered by the Executive Council before the university responds to the BCI. The council is empowered to take major institutional decisions under the statute governing NALSAR.
The controversy began after around 450 students, out of a student population of approximately 1,500, submitted a representation asking the Vice Chancellor to reconsider the decision to invite CJI Surya Kant to the convocation.
The students referred to the Supreme Court’s handling of a plea concerning alleged police excesses against protesters during the July 20 “Chalo Sansad” march at Jantar Mantar.
With the BCI now seeking an inquiry and NALSAR examining the scope of its authority, the next step rests with the university’s Executive Council.
