Bombay Bar Association Calls Manan Kumar Mishra's Apology Belated, Says He Must Resign As BCI Chairman
Jayanti Pahwa
19 Aug 2026 3:45 PM IST
The Bombay Bar Association, while condemning the actions of the BCI chairman on August 13 against NALSAR students, stated that Mishra's subsequent apology of August 15 was clearly belated and was just an attempt to merely assuage the situation.
The Association, in its letter of August 18, stated that Mishra's apology cannot be regarded as an expression of "true remorse, since he continues to hold the position as Chairman despite his conduct, when, in the fitness of things, he ought to have already resigned".
The Bombay Bar Association stated that a meeting of the Standing Committee was convened on August 17 and 18, 2026, to deliberate upon the events that unfolded from August 13 to 15, 2026.
Per the letter, the Standing Committee described the BCI's letter of August 13 as an "abuse" of the office of the BCI chairman, as the said letter was issued without granting the students an opportunity of hearing. The said letter of August 13, 2026, caused grave prejudice to the professional careers of NALSAR Students.
The Association, however, supported the subsequent decision of the BCI to close all proceedings against the students, describing it "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 Association further noted that the office of the BCI chairman is an important position carrying significant responsibility and that the August 13 communication was "uncalled for".
Thus, the Association expressed "deepest anguish that Mr. Manan Kumar Mishra, Senior Advocate, has while occupying the post as Chairman of the Bar Council of India, indulged in issuing orders and directions against the law students Of NALSAR (Passing out batch of 2026), which do not fall within the purview of the Bar Council of India".
Background:
BCI Chairman had issued a letter on August 13, directing all State Bar Councils not to enroll students who graduated from NALSAR University in Hyderabad in 2026 as advocates.
This letter was issued after reports surfaced that a section of outgoing students had opposed inviting the Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant, for the convocation over his comments on the NEET student protests in Delhi.
On August 14, after backlash from Senior Advocates and other Bar members, the BCI Chairman, through a late-night Twitter post, dropped all proceedings against the 2026 graduating batch.
Subsequently, the Student Bar Council of NALSAR University issued statements condemning the said letter of the BCI and demanding an apology from the Chairman. The student bar council stated;
"It (the letter) reflects the classic 'anti-national' narrative, in which dissent is not engaged with on its merits but is explained away as the work of external actors manipulating impressionable students in a patronising fashion. The post of Chairperson of BCI is the epitome of a statutory regulatory body. The current chairperson's actions are unbecoming of his post and the constitutional directives that he is expected to uphold".
Thereafter, on August 15, the BCI Chairman issued a letter in the nature of an apology. Subsequently, a writ petition was also filed before the Supreme Court challenging the provisions that allow the perpetual continuance of the same individuals at the top posts of the Bar Council of India (BCI) and State Bar Councils.
