Manan Kumar Mishra, the Chairperson of the Bar Council of India (BCI), has decided to drop all proceedings against the 2026 graduating batch of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, bringing an end to the controversy triggered by some students' objections to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant's participation in the university's convocation.

Mishra announced the decision in a late-night post, saying that after considering representations and reactions from senior advocates, members of the Bar, law students and members of the public, the Council was satisfied that the 2026 batch had no role in any “disturbance or movement.”

“The Bar Council of India has decided to close the proceedings altogether. No further action is required,” Mishra said in a post on X, following massive backlash over the Chairperson's earlier decision to stop the enrolment of the entire NALSAR 2026 .

In a decision announced yesterday night, Mishra had earlier directed that graduates of NALSAR's 2026 batch would not be enrolled as advocates pending an inquiry into the campaign opposing the CJI's participation in the convocation. However, this decision had a life of only about one hour. He subsequently withdrew the blanket enrolment restriction, allowing students to proceed with enrolment while retaining the inquiry into those involved in organising or mobilising the campaign. A few hours later, in a midnight social media post, Mishra announced the dropping of all proceedings.

The controversy began after a section of NALSAR students objected to the invitation extended to CJI Surya Kant as chief guest for the university's convocation. The students had cited concerns over remarks of the CJI concerning police excesses against student protesters in Delhi.

In his latest statement, Mishra said students should be able to express their opinions but stressed that such expression should be accompanied by “respect and institutional decorum.”

He also cautioned against publicly ridiculing constitutional institutions, saying that while dissent is welcome in a democracy, “public ridicule of constitutional institutions is often counterproductive.”

Mishra nevertheless wished the graduating students success in their careers and said that entering the legal profession makes them “vanguards” of the country's legal institutions.

Meanwhile, the NALSAR VC had stated that the University will first examine if the BCI has the statutory power to demand such an inquiry, before acting on the Council's request.