In a significant internal upheaval, Bar Council of India (BCI) Co-Chairman YR Sadasiva Reddy has delivered a 15-day ultimatum to Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra, demanding his immediate resignation. The demand, outlined in a hard-hitting letter dated August 22, 2026, cites serious allegations ranging from the unauthorised diversion of statutory funds to a private trust, irregular staff appointments, and an extended 14-year tenure.
Allegations of Financial Misconduct and Nepotism
Reddy's letter details multiple points of contention, primarily focusing on the alleged diversion of ₹150 crore from BCI reserves to a private entity named "BCI Trust PEARL - First." This trust, reportedly registered in 2020 with trustees handpicked by Mishra, is accused of operating without proper oversight, effectively rendering the original BCI Trust defunct. The letter also highlighted complaints that law colleges seeking BCI recognition or renewal were pressured to make "contributions" of ₹25 lakh to ₹1 crore to the PEARL Trust, raising concerns about the commercialisation of legal education.
Beyond financial irregularities, the Co-Chairman flagged severe administrative issues, including:
- Nepotism and Irregular Staffing: Allegations suggest staff members close to Mishra were recruited without transparent procedures, and his family members hold key administrative positions in BCI-run educational institutions.
- Monopolised Tenure: Mishra's continuous tenure as Chairman since 2012, spanning over 14 years across multiple terms, including a re-election in 2025, is said to violate the rotational principles intended for the office.
- Factionalism: Unilateral orders issued without full Council deliberation have reportedly fostered divisions within State Bar Councils.
The demand for Mishra's exit gained significant traction during a General Council meeting at the BCI office, where BCI member Manoj Kumar Narendran from Kerala formally raised the call for resignation, backed by Uttar Pradesh BCI member Advocate Srinath Tripathi.
Chairman Mishra Rejects Claims as "Baseless"
In response to the accusations, BCI Chairman and BJP MP Manan Kumar Mishra vehemently dismissed the allegations as "baseless and political." Speaking in Delhi, Mishra asserted his strong support within the legal fraternity, stating, "I am an elected representative. I was neither selected nor nominated to the Bar Council of India... This is my seventh term. I have been elected unopposed for the last six terms. Even today, more than two-thirds of the Bar Council members support me."
Addressing the financial allegations, Mishra insisted that the trust's operations are fully transparent, managed by senior advocates and BCI members, and subject to annual audits, with details published in the public domain. He attributed the claims to external factions attempting to malign the institution, affirming his intention to remain in office as long as the country's lawyers support him.