Supreme Court asks lawyers to move Delhi HC to probe attack on peaceful protest at BCI premises

Lawyers stage a protest against the Chairman of the Bar Council of India outside the BCI office in New Delhi. File. | Photo credit: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap

The Supreme Court on Thursday (September 3, 2026) allowed young lawyers to move the Delhi High Court seeking an independent probe into allegations of targeted violence against them by an unidentified mob when they peacefully protested at the Bar Council of India (BCI) premises on August 21.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant asked advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing petitioner Kunal Yadav and others, to approach the Supreme Court with their plea that they were physically assaulted, dragged, abused and forcibly thrown out of the BCI premises during a peaceful comprehensive meeting for the resignation of chairman and reform authority Manan Kumar Mishra in the regulatory body.

Heavy police presence

“The attack took place at the BCI premises which are under 24/7 CCTV surveillance in the presence of a heavy deployment of Delhi Police including an officer of the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police who did not intervene,” the petition said.

Mr. Bhushan said in an oral statement that the BCI chairman, senior advocate Manan Kumar Mishra, later referred to the protesting lawyers as “legal cockroaches” who were being dealt with. Mr. Bhushan sought a CBI probe into the matter.

Justice Joymalya Bagchi said in the bench that although lawyers have the right to protest, the legal fraternity is still a disciplined community that has several forums to present its grievances.

Mr. Bhushan said that no one has the right to hit anyone. According to him, the protesting lawyers were mostly in their twenties.

The senior lawyer said he would comply with whatever the apex court felt was best. He explained that the motion was filed directly with the Supreme Court because the court is currently hearing several causes of action related to BCI.

Chief Justice Kant observed that it would be preferable if the petition reached the High Court first.

Published – 03 Sep 2026 22:52 IST