Bar Council of India chairman faces calls to step down over NALSAR controversy

Lawyers gathered outside the Bar Council of India office on Tuesday to voice their opposition to Chairman Manan Mishra's continued tenure, citing his involvement in the NALSAR row and broader concerns about his stewardship of the body.

Advocate Umesh Kumar, one of the leading voices among the protesters, raised pointed questions about Mishra's track record on matters affecting the legal profession. Kumar alleged that the BCI chairman has prioritized what he characterized as "political agendas" while neglecting critical issues directly impacting lawyer welfare and professional interests.

The demonstration reflects growing discontent within sections of the bar over the leadership's response to governance matters within the National Academy of Legal Study and Research. The protesters contend that the handling of the NALSAR controversy raises questions about Mishra's fitness to lead India's apex legal regulatory body.

The Bar Council of India, which oversees the legal profession across the country, has faced mounting pressure in recent weeks as the dispute over NALSAR governance has drawn wider attention within legal circles. The calls for Mishra's resignation represent a significant challenge to his authority at a time when the council is grappling with multiple contentious issues affecting the judiciary and the bar.