Karnataka State Bar Council member slams nominated chairman for supporting BCI chief

“I express my displeasure over the arbitrary manner in which the press statement is issued by the Chairman, KSBC… (on the) letterhead of the Karnataka State Bar Council. It is condemnable as the same is manifestly beyond his powers… as the same is not made with consultation of members of KSBC,” Rao said.

Rao further questioned Kamaraddi’s authority, saying he was “only a caretaker nominee” and therefore could not issue a press release expressing a personal opinion as the official stand of KSBC.

Kamaraddi, in a statement issued on Monday, had said the KSBC “firmly dismisses and condemns” a letter dated August 22 by former KSBC member Y R Sadasiva Reddy. Kamaraddi described the allegations against Mishra as “politically motivated, baseless” and aimed at creating “artificial friction within the legal fraternity”.

The statement also defended Mishra’s tenure, saying that under his leadership the BCI had protected the autonomy of the legal profession, strengthened advocate welfare initiatives, upgraded digital infrastructure and dealt with institutional issues through “constructive, democratic dialogue”.

Kamaraddi’s statement came in response to a six-page letter written by Reddy on Saturday, in which he sought Mishra’s immediate resignation.

The controversy stems from a directive issued by Mishra earlier this month after around 450 NALSAR students launched a campaign opposing the invitation to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant to attend their upcoming convocation. Mishra’s directive asked state Bar councils not to enroll students from the institute’s 2026 batch. The directive, however, was withdrawn within hours of being issued.