Karnataka State Bar Council backs BCI Chairman M K Mishra, rejects resignation call

In the statement, Kamaraddi further said, “We appeal to the advocates of Karnataka and across India to reject politically motivated distractions and remain united under the vision and leadership of Manan Kumar Mishra.”

In his six-page letter written on Saturday, Reddy had said, “I hold no personal animosity towards you (Mishra). I have served alongside you on this Council for a decade. It is precisely because I have watched this institution from within for that period that I am able to say, with a clear conscience, that it will not recover while you remain in the Chair. Standing down now, on your own accord, is the one course still open to you that would be to your credit.”

The KSBC on Monday also stated that Reddy did not contest the recent Karnataka State Bar Council elections and is no longer an elected member.

Meanwhile, responding to Kamaraddi’s statement, Reddy said, “My letter of August 22, 2026, to the Chairman of the Bar Council of India raised specific matters: the transfer of funds of the order of Rs 150 crore to a newly registered trust whose Trust Deed no Member of the Bar Council of India has ever seen; appointments to the Council made without a single advertisement, selection committee proceeding or merit list on record; and the direction of August 13, 2026, against the graduating batch of NALSAR University, issued without any material being placed before the Council. The press release issued today does not answer any of them.”

Further attacking Kamaraddi, Reddy stated, “V D Kamaraddi is not elected to the office he holds. He was nominated by Mishra. His own release describes him as the ‘administrator’ of the Karnataka State Bar Council. A person nominated by the very office-bearer whose conduct is in question is not an independent voice, and a caretaker nominee is not well placed to speak of electoral mandate.”

Controversy surrounding BCI chairman

Mishra landed in controversy after he issued a directive on August 13, asking state Bar councils not to enroll students of NALSAR’s 2026 batch following a campaign started by around 450 NALSAR students opposing CJI Surya Kant being invited to the university convocation.

Mishra withdrew the circular within hours, saying the BCI had closed the proceedings after concluding that the students had “no role in any disturbance or movement”.

In addition to Reddy, Senior Advocate Manoj Kumar N, the Vice-Chairman of the BCI Executive Committee, had on Saturday sought Mishra’s removal during a BCI General Council meeting.