HYDERABAD: The controversy over the Bar Council of India’s (BCI) decision on enrolment of NALSAR University of Law’s 2026 graduates erupted on the day the Telangana High Court put on hold the next round of enrolments by the state Bar Council.
In its orders on Thursday, the High Court directed the Interim Enrolment Committee of the Bar Council of Telangana to keep the enrolment process in abeyance until orders are pronounced in a writ petition challenging its constitution. The next enrolment process was scheduled for August 17 and around 200 applications were to be considered.
The developments mean that law graduates seeking entry into the profession are facing uncertainty at both the state and national levels, with questions being raised over the constitution of the state enrolment committee and, separately, the BCI’s powers to defer the enrolment of an entire graduating batch.
Justice N Tukaramji passed the direction while hearing a writ petition filed by B Jagadishwer questioning the constitution of the Interim Enrolment Committee, represented by the Advocate General. The petitioner said the panel is contrary to Section 58 of the Advocates Act, 1961.
The petitioner also sought quashing of the June 6, 2026, letter constituting the panel and a direction to constitute it in accordance with the Advocates Act.
The court noted that the writ petition had already been heard and was pending for orders. It was informed that the next enrolment process was scheduled for August 17, with around 200 applications proposed to be considered.
HC: Balance of convenience favours deferral
Justice Tukaramji observed that if the petitioner ultimately succeeded, questions could arise over the process conducted by the Interim Enrolment Committee and the validity of enrolments made pursuant to it.
Considering the balance of convenience, the court directed the committee to defer the enrolment process until orders were pronounced in the writ petition. The matter was adjourned to August 31.
The order assumes added relevance following the BCI’s decision earlier in the day concerning NALSAR’s 2026 graduates. The BCI initially directed state Bar Councils not to enrol the graduating students until further orders, reportedly in connection with their opposition to the proposal to invite CJI Surya Kant as chief guest at the university’s convocation.
The BCI subsequently modified the decision, stating that the “vast majority” of students were innocent and allowing their enrolment.
The two developments have raised questions within legal circles over the manner in which enrolment decisions are being taken, the extent to which state Bar Councils can act on directions issued by the BCI and the functioning of the enrolment machinery in Telangana, where the constitution of the state committee is under judicial scrutiny.
