NALSAR Refers BCI Inquiry Demand Over CJI Surya Kant Convocation Row

• NALSAR has referred the BCI's demand for an inquiry report on the CJI Surya Kant convocation row to its Executive Council.
• The University will examine whether conducting such an inquiry is a constitutional exercise of its powers under its governance regulations.
• BCI had initially barred the entire 2026 batch from being enrolled as advocates before reversing the decision hours later.

NALSAR would first assess whether the inquiry aligns with its governance regulations.

The National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR) University of Law in Hyderabad has been asked by the Bar Council of India (BCI) to conduct an inquiry into the CJI Surya Kant convocation row. This demand was made through two circulars issued by BCI on August 13, which initially barred the entire 2026 batch from being enrolled as advocates before reversing the decision hours later. However, the second circular retained the demand for an inquiry report on those responsible for initiating and organizing the protests against CJI Surya Kant's invitation to the convocation.

NALSAR has responded by referring the matter to its Executive Council, which will examine whether conducting such an inquiry is a constitutional exercise of its powers. The University's Vice Chancellor, Srikrishna Deva Rao, stated that NALSAR would first assess whether the inquiry aligns with its governance regulations.

The BCI's demand for an inquiry report raises questions about the relationship between regulatory bodies and educational institutions in India. The Bar Council of India has constitutional powers to regulate the legal profession, but it is unclear whether this extends to mandating inquiries into internal university matters. NALSAR's governance regulations provide that the Executive Council is the highest decision-making body under the statute establishing the University. This means that any inquiry would need to be approved by the Executive Council before proceeding.

The fact that BCI has issued two circulars on this matter, with the second one retaining the demand for an inquiry report, suggests a level of urgency and importance attached to this issue. However, it is unclear what specific powers or authority BCI believes it has to mandate such an inquiry.

The implications of this development are significant for lawyers and compliance officers in India. The relationship between regulatory bodies and educational institutions is complex and fraught with constitutional exercises of power. If the BCI's demand for an inquiry report is upheld, it could set a precedent for other regulatory bodies to intervene in internal university matters. This could have far-reaching consequences for university governance and autonomy in India.

The matter will be placed before NALSAR's Executive Council for consultation, after which the University will communicate its decision to BCI. The outcome of this process will be closely watched by stakeholders in the legal profession and educational institutions.

Lawyers and compliance officers should watch for the potential implications of this development on the relationship between regulatory bodies and educational institutions in India, particularly with regards to constitutional exercises of power.

Source: Original reporting via Convocation row: NALSAR Executive Council to decide whether BCI-mandated inquiry is permissible under University rules