Supreme Court Directs Lawyers to Delhi High Court Over BCI Protest Violence

The Supreme Court has stepped back from directly ordering a probe into allegations of violence against young lawyers during a peaceful protest at the Bar Council of India (BCI) headquarters last month. Instead, a bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has asked the petitioners to first seek justice through the Delhi High Court.

A Peaceful Protest Turns Violent

On August 21, a group of young lawyers gathered at the BCI office for what they describe as a peaceful sit-in demonstration. They were calling for the resignation of chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra and comprehensive reforms within the regulatory body. What happened next has become the subject of a legal battle.

The petition claims that while protesting inside the BCI premises—which are under constant CCTV surveillance and with a significant police presence including an Assistant Commissioner of Police—the lawyers were physically assaulted, dragged, abused and forcibly thrown out. Most concerning, the filing states that law enforcement personnel did not intervene during the alleged violence.

The Legal Response

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing petitioners Kunal Yadav and others, brought the matter directly to the Supreme Court, seeking a CBI investigation. In an oral mentioning, Bhushan made the startling allegation that BCI chairperson Mishra later referred to the protesting lawyers as "legal cockroaches" who were "dealt with."

"Nobody had a right to beat up anyone," Bhushan asserted, noting that most of the affected lawyers were in their twenties. He explained that the petition was filed directly with the top court because several pleas connected to the BCI are currently being heard there.

"The assault took place inside the BCI premises that are under round-the-clock CCTV surveillance in the presence of a large deployment of Delhi Police personnel, including an officer of the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police, who did not intervene."

Court's Deliberate Approach

While acknowledging lawyers' right to protest, Justice Joymalya Bagchi noted that the legal fraternity remains a disciplined community with multiple forums to present grievances. The bench ultimately determined that the Delhi High Court would be the more appropriate first venue for this petition.

Chief Justice Kant observed that it would be "more opportune" if the petition came before the High Court initially. Bhushan agreed to comply with the court's direction, demonstrating respect for the judicial process even while seeking accountability for what his clients describe as a disturbing breach of safety and professional conduct.