The BCI thought it could punish NALSAR students for protesting the CJI’s convocation invite. The court said: nope, that’s not your job. Universities hold that power. This ruling isn’t just about one batch of students; it’s about where regulatory power actually lies. The BCI can set education standards, but not act as campus police. A quiet but powerful win for institutional autonomy. Law students across India just got a clearer shield against overreach.