Very Positive Decision: Gujarat High Court On BCI Allowing Law Graduates From Grant-In-Aid Colleges To Enroll For 2025-26 Session As One Time Relief

The Gujarat High Court has lauded the decision by the Bar Council of India to grant 'one time relief' to law graduates from unrecognized colleges by allowing them to enroll for the 2025-26 session.

The Court said the Bar Body took the directions issued by the Court in Writ Petition filed by such law graduates in 'right spirit' and ensured their future is not in jeopardy.

The Bench of Justice Nikhil S Kariel observed, "Furthermore, since a very positive decision has been taken by the Bar Council of India, more particularly accepting the directions of this Court in right spirit, this Court deems it appropriate to direct the respondents- colleges as well as the Universities concerned to strictly comply with the terms of the Resolution dated 05.07.2025 so as to ensure that the future of the students who enter into LL.B. courses from the academic year 2026-2027 shall not be put in jeopardy."

The Petitioner was represented by Advocate Harsh K. Raval, while the Respondent was represented by Assistant Government Pleader Nirali Sarda.

The Court took note of the Resolution of the BCI wherein it has decided to allow a one time relief strictly confined to LL.B. pass outs of the grant-in-aid colleges named in the writ petitions i.e. to grant enrollment to such LL.B. pass outs, who have passed out from the grant-in-aid colleges till the academic session 2025-2026.

"The Bar Council of India having acted positively and having accepted the suggestion of this Court, more particularly taking into consideration the interest of the Law Graduates, this Court records its appreciation for the same.......it is expected of the Bar Council of Gujarat to consider the case of the Law Graduates i.e. the petitioners and such similarly situated Law Graduates, who have completed their law graduation from the respondents, grant-in-aid law colleges, from near-about their date of application. In case the Bar Council takes a decision which may not be in the interest of the petitioners or such similarly situated Law Graduates, it would be open for the petitioners to take appropriate recourse in accordance with law", the Court observed.

The Petition was accordingly disposed of.

Cause Title: Umesh Varjanbhai Panchal & Ors. vs. State of Gujarat & Ors.

Appearances:

Petitioner- Advocate Harsh K. Raval

Respondent- Assistant Government Pleader Nirali Sarda, Advocate Assistant Government Pleader Nirali Sarda, Advocate Manan A. Shah, Advocate Kuldip Acharya, Advocate Mrugen K. Purohit, Advocate A.R. Thacker, Advocate Shivang Thacker

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