📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Jiri Borovy
National
Justice BV Nagarathna Says Bar Council’s Loss of Member Respect Is a Bad Sign
✍️ Free Press Journal
🗓 30 Aug 2026, 07:08 AM
👁 3
Supreme Court Justice BV Nagarathna warned that the Bar Council’s failure to command the respect of its members reflects deeper institutional problems.
Supreme Court Justice BV Nagarathna, addressing a gathering of lawyers, expressed concern that the Bar Council of India is losing the confidence of its members. She highlighted that a professional body which cannot earn the respect of its constituents risks losing its credibility and effectiveness.
The Justice noted that recent disputes over council elections and perceived lack of transparency have contributed to growing disenchantment among lawyers. She urged the council’s leadership to engage more openly with the legal community and to address grievances promptly.
Nagarathna emphasized that a robust and respected Bar Council is essential for upholding the rule of law and ensuring that the judiciary functions without undue interference. She called for reforms that would restore trust and reinforce the council’s role as a guardian of professional standards.
The remarks come at a time when several state bar councils are under scrutiny for internal conflicts and allegations of bias. Legal experts say that the Justice’s comments may prompt a re‑evaluation of governance practices within the national body.
Stakeholders are expected to convene in the coming weeks to discuss actionable steps, with the aim of rebuilding confidence among the legal fraternity and the public at large.
The Justice noted that recent disputes over council elections and perceived lack of transparency have contributed to growing disenchantment among lawyers. She urged the council’s leadership to engage more openly with the legal community and to address grievances promptly.
Nagarathna emphasized that a robust and respected Bar Council is essential for upholding the rule of law and ensuring that the judiciary functions without undue interference. She called for reforms that would restore trust and reinforce the council’s role as a guardian of professional standards.
The remarks come at a time when several state bar councils are under scrutiny for internal conflicts and allegations of bias. Legal experts say that the Justice’s comments may prompt a re‑evaluation of governance practices within the national body.
Stakeholders are expected to convene in the coming weeks to discuss actionable steps, with the aim of rebuilding confidence among the legal fraternity and the public at large.