BCI Co-Chairman YR Sadashiva Reddy Demands Resignation of President Manan Kumar Mishra Over Alleged Financial Irregularities

A massive leadership dispute has erupted within the Bar Council of India as co-chairman and senior advocate YR Sadashiva Reddy formally demanded the immediate resignation of BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra. Citing grave concerns over financial management and administrative transparency, Reddy issued a strongly worded letter outlining eight major allegations. The internal feud brings unprecedented scrutiny to one of the country's premier legal regulatory bodies, putting the apex leadership under intense pressure from within its own executive ranks.

Serious Allegations of Multi-Crore Fund Transfers

In his comprehensive letter, Sadashiva Reddy asserted that remaining silent would amount to a betrayal of the legal fraternity's trust, accusing Chairman Mishra of operating the council akin to a private enterprise rather than a public statutory institution. The core financial accusation centers around the creation of a new trust named BCI Trust PEARL First in September 2020, which was allegedly established by bypassing the original BCI trust structure with handpicked trustees. Reddy further claimed that a controversial proposal was pushed through to transfer approximately Rs 150 crore of BCI funds into this new entity despite formal objections raised by other members.

Accusations of Extortion, Nepotism, and Irregular Appointments

Beyond financial fund transfers, the co-chairman leveled sharp accusations regarding institutional corruption and nepotism. Reddy alleged that law colleges seeking official recognition or renewal were subjected to massive financial demands, severely tarnishing the regulatory reputation of the BCI. Furthermore, the petition and letter highlighted that staff and institutional appointments were executed without issuing public advertisements or maintaining merit lists, with positions allegedly favoring close personal relatives and associates of the chairman.

Supreme Court Challenge Over Tenure Rules

This explosive internal fallout coincides with a formal legal challenge filed in the Supreme Court concerning Manan Kumar Mishra's prolonged tenure. The Supreme Court petition, brought forward by advocate Yogmaya MG, argues that existing BCI rules strictly limit the tenure of the chairman to two years, whereas Mishra has reportedly held the apex office for over a decade in alleged violation of statutory guidelines. As pressure mounts both inside the council chambers and through the judicial system, the legal community watches closely for the next developments in this unfolding administrative crisis.