Supreme Court judge Justice B V Nagarathna on Saturday emphasized that a Bar Council that fails to earn the respect of its members is "not a good sign for the legal profession." She urged Bar Councils to reflect on their role in upholding professional ethics during the 13th convocation of National Law University Delhi.

Key Remarks

Justice Nagarathna stated, "The Bar Councils, whether the Central or the States, must introspect on their role and importance in upholding professional ethics, morality and professional competence. When a Bar Council does not earn the respect of its members, it is not a good sign for the legal profession."

This statement follows demands for the resignation of Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra over an August 13 directive that instructed state Bar Councils not to enroll students from the 2026 NALSAR batch. Mishra later retracted the circular, clarifying that the BCI had concluded the students had "no role in any disturbance or movement."

Concerns Raised

Earlier, BCI co-Chairman and Senior Advocate Y R Sadasiva Reddy had written to Mishra, requesting his resignation. At the National Law University, Justice Nagarathna addressed issues such as pendency, delays, and litigation costs, stating that the Bar in India must rethink its role in serving litigants, safeguarding democracy, and upholding the rule of law.

She urged that the Bar must "rise and speak in a singular voice" to sustain the justice delivery system. Justice Nagarathna remarked that lawyers should maintain a space where they can advise, argue, and represent clients without external interference, as they are the "safety valves of democracies."