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BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra has defended his seventh term, saying the Advocates Act does not impose any restriction on the tenure of the chairman.
Bar Council of India Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra
Bar Council of India Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra has defended his seventh tenure amid a growing controversy over his prolonged stint at the helm of the statutory body.
Speaking about questions surrounding his continued tenure, Mishra said the BCI was created under an Act of Parliament and argued that the legislation does not impose a limit on the chairman’s tenure.
“Bar Council of India is a statutory body under the Advocates Act. It’s an act created by Parliament. Now the act does not limit any sort of restriction on the tenure of the chairman. Therefore under the act I have been elected. This is my seventh tenure,” Mishra said.
He further defended his previous terms, saying he had been unanimously elected on six earlier occasions.
“For last six tenures I have been being elected as the chairman of the Bar Council of India unanimously,” he said.
Mishra has also rejected calls for him to step down, saying his continued presence in the post is based on his election by BCI members.
“I have served as the Chairman of the Bar Council of India for 12 to 14 years because I was elected. Manan Mishra represents 25 lakh lawyers; he will not step down simply,” he said in response to demands for his resignation.
His remarks come as a petition has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging his prolonged tenure and seeking his removal, fresh elections and a limit on the number of terms a person can serve as BCI chairman. The petition argues that Rule 12(2) of the BCI Rules provides for a two-year tenure for the chairman and vice-chairman.
Mishra, however, maintains that he has been legitimately elected and that the Advocates Act does not place a cap on his tenure.
Manan Mishra Calls Sadashiv Reddy ‘Political Opponent’
Mishra also hit back at Sadashiv Reddy amid the ongoing dispute, questioning his current association with the BCI and State Bar Council.
Mishra said Reddy had previously been a member of the Bar Council of India but is no longer associated with the body.
“Sadashiv Reddy was a member of the Bar Council of India, but he is no longer associated with it. He is not a member of the State Bar Council and has not contested its election. He has been my political opponent throughout. Even when he was a member of the Council, he opposed me on many issues,” Mishra said.
Mishra’s remarks come amid a growing dispute within the BCI, with Reddy raising questions over Mishra’s leadership and tenure as chairman.
The BCI chairman has maintained that Reddy’s criticism is influenced by their long-standing differences and has rejected the allegations levelled against him.
The controversy has also intensified after BCI Co-Chairman Y.R. Sadashiva Reddy called for Mishra’s resignation, alleging irregularities in appointments, financial dealings, and the functioning of the BCI and its trust. Mishra has rejected the allegations as “false and baseless” and described Reddy as a political opponent.
Key Questions Answered
Ask News18Allegations against Manan Mishra include financial irregularities, questionable appointments, and decisions made without the Bar Council of India’s (BCI) approval.
Ask News18About the Author
Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can …Read More
August 22, 2026, 3:28 PM IST
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