Madhya Pradesh High Court: In multiple writ petitions filed by students seeking relief due to non-renewal of recognition for their law colleges by the Bar Council of India (BCI), a Division Bench of Suresh Kumar Kait,* CJ., and Vivek Jain, J., issued directions regarding strict renewal deadline, format compliance, timely communication, strict action against non-compliant institutions, final opportunity for institutions and affiliation process by universities.
In the instant matter, the primary issue arose from the failure of certain institutions to deposit the requisite fee and fulfill renewal formalities with the Bar Council of India within the prescribed timeframe. The petitioners contended that the denial of recognition resulted in severe prejudice against them, as their enrolment applications with the State Bar Council were put on hold.
The Court acknowledged that the institutions failed to comply with the procedural requirements for renewal of recognition. The Court emphasised that “if any institution does not come forward as per the direction of this Court and as per the regulations of the Bar Council of India, the Bar Council of India shall take final decision in the month of February itself so that there shall be no convergent state of mind with the candidates.”
The Court held that the students should not suffer due to the administrative lapses of their institutions and directed remedial measures for their enrolment. The Court also took note of delays in affiliation renewal by universities and stated that “when institutions apply to the University for renewal of affiliation, all formalities shall be completed by 31st December of the previous calendar year and all the proceedings with Bar Council of India shall be completed in this regard by 15th February of the calendar year.”
The Court issued following directions —
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All institutions must deposit the renewal fee with the Bar Council of India by December 31 of the previous calendar year.
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The BCI must inform institutions about renewal status by February 15 each year.
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The BCI must upload the final list of recognized institutions on its portal by March 31.
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If institutions fail to secure recognition and still admit students, “criminal action shall be taken against such institutions as per law.”
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Colleges that failed to deposit the fee must do so within one week, after which the BCI shall process pending enrollments within two weeks.
[Vyom Garg v. State of M.P., 2025 SCC OnLine MP 2683, Decided on 25-03-2025]
*Judgment by Chief Justice Suresh Kumar Kait
Advocates who appeared in this case :
Shri Mohd Amjad, Advocate for petitioner.
Shri Amit Seth, Addl. Advocate General with Shri Sahil Sonkushale, P.L. for State.
Shri Aditya Veer Singh, Advocate for respondent No.2.
Shri Satyam Agrawal with Ms. Aashu Agrawal, Advocate for respondent No.3.
Shri Shreyash Pandit, Advocate for respondent No.4.
Shri Manoj Kumar Sharma – Senior Advocate with Shri Quazi Fakhruddin and Ms. Lavanya Verma, Advocates for intervener.
Shri Sanjay Agrawal – Senior Advocate with Shri Arpit Agrawal and Shri Utkarsh Agrawal, Advocates for intervener.
Shri Akshya Pawar, Shri Mihir Lulwat and Shri Shri Navtej Ruprah, Advocates for intervener.
