Advocate Prashant Bhushan petitioned the Supreme Court on September 3, 2026, regarding the alleged beating of lawyers at the Bar Council of India premises. A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant declined to hear the matter directly, instructing the petitioner to approach the Delhi High Court instead.
During the proceedings, the Supreme Court noted that the matter should be adjudicated by the jurisdictional High Court first. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant stated that petitioners must approach the Delhi High Court first, as it is the appropriate forum for this matter.
The apex court maintained that local judicial forums possess the necessary mechanism to examine evidence and oversee factual inquiries regarding incidents within the capital. The specific identities of the alleged assailants and the medical status of the injured lawyers have not been disclosed in the court order.
The Bar Council of India leadership has previously denied allegations of systemic violence, characterizing protests as politically motivated, per BCI press releases. BCI representatives maintained that administrative protocols are strictly enforced across all council properties to ensure safety and order.
The current petition follows the 2023 Tis Hazari court complex clash, which also prompted Supreme Court intervention regarding lawyer-police and inter-lawyer violence. That earlier episode established a framework for high court oversight in disputes involving legal practitioners and premises security.
Legal practitioners in Delhi face ongoing uncertainty regarding safety protocols at BCI and court premises pending the High Court's intervention. Representatives of various bar associations have called for clearer administrative accountability following the reported incidents.
