Bar Council chief Manan Kumar Mishra: Will quit if financial irregularities proven
Synopsis
Bar Council of India Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra has thrown down a gauntlet: prove financial wrongdoing or the resignation demand goes nowhere. With Co-Chairman YR Sadasiva Reddy's 15-day ultimatum still ticking and the NALSAR controversy unresolved, India's apex lawyers' body is in an unusually public internal crisis — and Mishra, in his seventh term, shows no sign of stepping back.
Key Takeaways
BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra said on 22 August he will resign only if financial irregularities at the Council are proven.
Co-Chairman YR Sadasiva Reddy reportedly wrote to Mishra seeking his resignation within 15 days .
Reddy's letter cited lack of transparency in appointments, use of Council funds, alleged donation-from-law-colleges practice, and the NALSAR controversy.
Mishra, in his seventh term as BCI Chairman, said the Advocates Act imposes no tenure limit on the post.
Mishra attributed the allegations to political rivalry, citing his status as a BJP Member of Parliament.
He said he retains the support of a two-thirds majority within the Bar Council.
Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra on Saturday, 22 August said he is prepared to resign and face consequences only if financial irregularities at the Council are conclusively established. The statement came in response to mounting pressure from within the BCI, including a letter from Co-Chairman YR Sadasiva Reddy demanding his resignation within 15 days.
What Reddy's Letter Alleged
Reddy's letter, written a day before Mishra's public remarks, reportedly raised a series of concerns about the BCI's administrative and financial functioning. According to reports, Reddy cited a lack of transparency in appointments, questions over the use of Council funds, an alleged practice of accepting donations from law colleges, and the recent NALSAR controversy as factors damaging the institution's credibility.
What Mishra Said in His Defence
Addressing reporters, Mishra defended the BCI's financial record, stating: 'As far as BCI's money transactions are concerned, it being audited every year by a certified chartered accountant. It is there in the public domain. Anybody can see and make comments about it. There is absolutely no objection by any auditor or anybody.'
He went further, issuing a direct challenge: 'No body can raise a finger on Manan Mishra's honesty and integrity. I challenge anyone, if they can prove that there is any kind of financial irregularity, I will immediately step down and will be ready to face the consequences.'
Tenure and Lawyers' Mandate
Mishra, currently serving his seventh term as BCI Chairman, argued that his repeated re-election reflects the confidence of the legal community. He noted that during the recent Monsoon Session of Parliament, he raised issues concerning advocate protection, compensation, case backlogs, and vacancy filling in lower courts and high courts.
On the question of tenure limits, Mishra was unequivocal: 'The Advocate's Act does not fix any limit on the tenure. I can be the Chairman or a member throughout my life, there is absolutely no bar in the eyes of law.'
Political Accusations and Vendetta Claims
Mishra, who is also a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament, attributed the allegations to political rivalry. He claimed opponents from rival political formations were targeting him, adding that the broader lawyers' fraternity — barring a handful — stands by him.
In separate remarks, Mishra said: 'These allegations are a result of political differences and personal vendetta. Why should I resign according to his wish, as long as I have the support of the Bar Council's two-third majority.'
What Happens Next
The BCI's internal dispute now centres on whether Reddy's concerns will be taken up formally by the full Council. With Mishra insisting on a two-thirds majority as his mandate and Reddy's 15-day deadline still active, the standoff is likely to intensify in the coming days. The NALSAR controversy and the broader questions around institutional transparency remain unresolved.
Point of View
Not institutional confidence. Mishra's invocation of annual audits as a clean chit sidesteps the more substantive questions Reddy raised — transparency in appointments and the donations-from-law-colleges allegation — neither of which an audit alone resolves. The fact that this dispute is playing out through press statements rather than internal BCI mechanisms points to a governance culture that prioritises optics over process. With no tenure limit under the Advocates Act and a claimed two-thirds majority, Mishra holds the procedural cards — but the NALSAR controversy and Reddy's letter have already put the BCI's credibility on trial in a court of public opinion.
NationPress
22 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Bar Council of India Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra facing resignation demands?
BCI Co-Chairman YR Sadasiva Reddy reportedly wrote to Mishra on 21 August demanding his resignation within 15 days, citing concerns over transparency in appointments, use of Council funds, alleged acceptance of donations from law colleges, and the NALSAR controversy. Mishra has rejected the demands, saying he will step down only if financial irregularities are proven.
What did Manan Kumar Mishra say about the financial allegations against BCI?
Mishra stated that BCI's accounts are audited annually by a certified chartered accountant and are available in the public domain, with no objection raised by any auditor. He challenged anyone to prove financial irregularity, saying he would immediately resign if such proof were established.
Is there a tenure limit for the Bar Council of India Chairman?
According to Mishra, the Advocates Act does not prescribe any limit on the tenure of the BCI Chairman or members. He stated he can hold the position throughout his life, and this is his seventh term as Chairman.
How has Mishra explained the allegations politically?
Mishra, a BJP Member of Parliament, attributed the allegations to political differences and personal vendetta, claiming rival political actors are targeting him. He said the broad majority of the lawyers' fraternity supports him and that he holds the backing of two-thirds of the Bar Council.
What is the NALSAR controversy mentioned in the BCI dispute?
The NALSAR controversy was cited by Co-Chairman Reddy as one of the issues damaging the BCI's institutional credibility, alongside concerns about financial transparency and appointments. Specific details of the controversy were not elaborated in the available statements, and the matter remains unresolved.
