Bar Council of India (BCI) Co-Chairman and senior advocate YR Sadasiva Reddy has called for the immediate resignation of Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra, alleging financial irregularities, questionable appointments and unilateral decisions that have damaged the institution’s credibility.In a six-page letter dated August 22, Reddy asked Mishra to step down within 15 days and called for a special meeting of the BCI to consider the allegations.Among the most serious claims is an alleged move to transfer Rs 150 crore from BCI funds to a private trust, BCI Trust PEARL – First, registered in September 2020. Reddy alleged that the trust was established with trustees selected by Mishra.“I know of no provision of the Advocates Act, 1961 which permits the corpus of a statutory regulator to be transferred to a private trust registered by its own Chairman”, Reddy wrote.He also alleged that law colleges seeking approval or renewal from the BCI were being asked to make contributions to the trust, allegedly ranging from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 1 crore. Reddy said such regulatory powers could not be used to raise funds.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nia-court-rejects-bail-plea-of-pulwama-terror-case-accused-insha-jan-cites-ongoing-trial-1787374257492">NIA court rejects bail plea of Pulwama terror case accused Insha Jan, cites ongoing trial</a>The letter further alleged that several BCI employees had personal links to Mishra, including members of his family, without transparent recruitment procedures.Reddy also criticised the August 13 directive asking State Bar Councils not to enrol the graduating batch of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad. He alleged the decision was taken without a BCI resolution or supporting material.“That single act... has done more damage to the standing of this Council than anything else in its history”, Reddy wrote.The directive was withdrawn within hours following criticism from legal bodies and the Supreme Court.Reddy also questioned Mishra’s continued tenure as BCI chairman, saying he has held the position since 2012 despite a two-year term.He sought an independent audit of BCI and the trust’s accounts, an end to alleged contributions from law colleges and a special BCI meeting.“When the regulator of a profession is publicly repudiated by the profession it regulates... the question of its chairman’s continuance is no longer a matter of personal preference. It is a question of institutional survival”, Reddy concluded.&nbsp;

BCI Co-Chairman YR Sadasiva Reddy has sought Manan Kumar Mishra’s resignation, alleging financial irregularities, nepotism and unilateral decisions, while demanding a special meeting and independent audit.

Bar Council of India (BCI) Co-Chairman and senior advocate YR Sadasiva Reddy has called for the immediate resignation of Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra, alleging financial irregularities, questionable appointments and unilateral decisions that have damaged the institution’s credibility. In a six-page letter dated August 22, Reddy asked Mishra to step down within 15 days and called for a special meeting of the BCI to consider the allegations. Among the most serious claims is an alleged move to transfer Rs 150 crore from BCI funds to a private trust, BCI Trust PEARL – First, registered in September 2020. Reddy alleged that the trust was established with trustees selected by Mishra. “I know of no provision of the Advocates Act, 1961 which permits the corpus of a statutory regulator to be transferred to a private trust registered by its own Chairman”, Reddy wrote. He also alleged that law colleges seeking approval or renewal from the BCI were being asked to make contributions to the trust, allegedly ranging from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 1 crore. Reddy said such regulatory powers could not be used to raise funds. Also read | NIA court rejects bail plea of Pulwama terror case accused Insha Jan, cites ongoing trial The letter further alleged that several BCI employees had personal links to Mishra, including members of his family, without transparent recruitment procedures. Reddy also criticised the August 13 directive asking State Bar Councils not to enrol the graduating batch of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad. He alleged the decision was taken without a BCI resolution or supporting material. “That single act... has done more damage to the standing of this Council than anything else in its history”, Reddy wrote. The directive was withdrawn within hours following criticism from legal bodies and the Supreme Court. Reddy also questioned Mishra’s continued tenure as BCI chairman, saying he has held the position since 2012 despite a two-year term. He sought an independent audit of BCI and the trust’s accounts, an end to alleged contributions from law colleges and a special BCI meeting. “When the regulator of a profession is publicly repudiated by the profession it regulates... the question of its chairman’s continuance is no longer a matter of personal preference. It is a question of institutional survival”, Reddy concluded.

BCI Co-Chairman YR Sadasiva Reddy has sought Manan Kumar Mishra’s resignation, alleging financial irregularities, nepotism and unilateral decisions, while demanding a special meeting and independent audit.

‘Bar deserves better’: BCI turning against Manan Kumar Mishra? Co-chairman demands resignation within 15 days

The ongoing dispute over the Bar Council of India and the NALSAR University of Law row is set to spill onto the streets, with the Cockroach Janta Party announcing a protest against BCI chairman Manan Kumar Mishra for today (Thursday, Aug 20).The CJP's party's chief spokesperson, Saurav Das, issued a "protest alert" on X, saying that "legal cockroaches" would gather at 10 am to demand Mishra's resignation. Das said the protest was being called by the All India Young Advocates Association and backed peaceful demonstrations seeking accountability.The protest comes days after the BCI faced criticism over its handling of the NALSAR controversy.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/who-are-bci-to-interfere-cji-surya-kant-breaks-silence-on-nalsar-convocation-row-bar-1786686143961">'Who are BCI to interfere?': CJI Surya Kant breaks silence on NALSAR convocation row; SC demands response on why punitive action was ordered</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨<a href="https://x.com/hashtag/ProtestAlert?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ProtestAlert</a> 🚨 It seems the Legal Cockroaches have united and will be protesting against the Chairman of the Bar Council of India tomorrow at 10 AM and demanding his resignation. The protest has been called by the All India Young Advocates Association. I support any form of… <a href="https://t.co/NLJuXR7fpU">pic.twitter.com/NLJuXR7fpU</a>&mdash; Saurav Das (@SauravDassss) <a href="https://x.com/SauravDassss/status/2090088832171659742?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Why is Manan Mishra facing criticism?</h2>The BCI had initially ordered State Bar Councils to freeze the enrolment of NALSAR's entire 2026 graduating batch after students opposed the proposed participation of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant at their convocation.The order was withdrawn within hours after the Council concluded that the majority of students had not intended to show disrespect.In the revised communication, Mishra said all 2026 graduates would be free to enrol with the State Bar Council of their choice. However, the BCI said its inquiry into the controversy would continue.The episode, however, triggered strong criticism from sections of the legal fraternity.<h2>Bombay Bar Association seeks Mishra's resignation</h2>The Bombay Bar Association on August 18 strongly criticised the action against the NALSAR students and called for Mishra's resignation.The association said Mishra's subsequent apology did not amount to a genuine expression of remorse and argued that he "ought to have resigned" from his position.Das also referred to the Bombay Bar Association's call while announcing support for Thursday's protest.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nalsar-graduates-spared-bci-withdraws-controversial-bar-enrolment-order-hours-after-blocking-2026-graduates-over-cji-cockroach-row-1786672064793">NALSAR graduates spared? BCI withdraws controversial bar enrolment order hours after blocking 2026 graduates over CJI 'cockroach' row</a><h2>Mishra apologises to students</h2>On Independence Day, Mishra apologised to law students, saying he sincerely regretted it if any of his words or the BCI's communication had hurt their feelings.He said students who felt hurt had a right to be heard with "patience, sensitivity and respect"."An expression of regret is not a matter of prestige or ego," Mishra said, adding that students' feelings and concerns mattered.His apology followed criticism from CJI Surya Kant, who had questioned the BCI's intervention in the dispute.<h2>Will CJI Surya Kant attend NALSAR convocation despite the uproar?</h2>CJI Surya Kant has since declined the invitation to attend NALSAR's upcoming convocation as chief guest.Speaking to The Times of India after a meeting with vice-chancellors of national law universities in Jodhpur, Kant said he had "never consented to Nalsar's invitation"."The question of me attending the convocation does not arise," he said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The NALSAR controversy is moving from courtrooms to the streets, with a protest against BCI chairman Manan Kumar Mishra planned in Delhi today. But what exactly triggered the demand for his resignation? Here's all you need to know.

The ongoing dispute over the Bar Council of India and the NALSAR University of Law row is set to spill onto the streets, with the Cockroach Janta Party announcing a protest against BCI chairman Manan Kumar Mishra for today (Thursday, Aug 20). The CJP's party's chief spokesperson, Saurav Das, issued a "protest alert" on X, saying that "legal cockroaches" would gather at 10 am to demand Mishra's resignation. Das said the protest was being called by the All India Young Advocates Association and backed peaceful demonstrations seeking accountability. The protest comes days after the BCI faced criticism over its handling of the NALSAR controversy. Also read | 'Who are BCI to interfere?': CJI Surya Kant breaks silence on NALSAR convocation row; SC demands response on why punitive action was ordered

The NALSAR controversy is moving from courtrooms to the streets, with a protest against BCI chairman Manan Kumar Mishra planned in Delhi today. But what exactly triggered the demand for his resignation? Here's all you need to know.

NALSAR row: CJP protest today; ‘legal cockroaches’ to seek BCI chief Manan Mishra's resignation

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‘Bar deserves better’: BCI turning against Manan Kumar Mishra? Co-chairman demands resignation within 15 days

NALSAR row: CJP protest today; ‘legal cockroaches’ seek BCI chief's resignation