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Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Graduates from law colleges lacking BCI approval will not be enrolled by state bar councils: Chairman
MUMBAI: The Bar Council of India (BCI) chairman and Rajya Sabha member Manan Kumar Mishra on Saturday cautioned aspiring lawyers that graduates from law colleges lacking BCI approval will not be enrolled by state bar councils or granted a Certificate of Practice. Graduates from law colleges lacking BCI approval will not be enrolled by state bar councils: Chairman Speaking to Hindustan Times on the sidelines of the convocation for the 2025–26 batch of the Kirit P Mehta School of Law, NMIMS, where he was chief guest, Mishra urged students to verify a college's approval status before admission — much like medical students check for recognition from the Medical Council of India. 'Students are bound to suffer if they study in unapproved colleges,' Mishra said. 'When we receive complaints about such institutions, we shut them down and impose heavy fines. But by then, the damage to students' careers is already done.' According to BCI's latest online list, several law colleges in Maharashtra are operating with expired approvals — some lapsed as early as 2013 — while others have not renewed recognition since 2018 or 2022. The list has triggered anxiety among students, many of whom say their colleges never informed them of the lapse. The consequences are severe. Without BCI approval, graduates are denied enrolment with their state bar council and the mandatory Certificate of Practice. Some applicants to LLM programmes within India have also been rejected for the same reason. 'It is a clear case of cheating,' Mishra said. 'Admitting students without BCI approval is playing with their futures.' The process for opening a law college involves obtaining a no-objection certificate from the state government, securing university affiliation, and finally, BCI approval. Mishra stressed that universities — as the immediate regulators — should ensure compliance before affiliation. 'We only approve colleges that are affiliated,' he said. 'If any college admits students without our approval, we usually find out only when complaints come from students.' Law student activist Sachin Pawar criticised lax oversight, saying some colleges secure approval merely by filing affidavits claiming adequate faculty and infrastructure. 'In reality, quality is neglected,' he said. 'We urge BCI to strengthen inspections like other professional bodies, so students receive proper legal education.' Mishra said BCI has introduced a system of surprise inspections by a panel led by a retired high court judge, accompanied by two or three senior law professors. These teams assess faculty, infrastructure, and academic standards, submitting a report within a month. Non-compliant institutions are closed. He painted a grim picture of the sector, estimating that 'more than 70% of colleges' lack basic facilities such as libraries or moot courts. 'Even LLMs and PhDs are sold in the market,' he alleged. 'That is why BCI has introduced the All India Bar Exam — as a filter to ensure only competent graduates enter the profession.' During the convocation, degrees were conferred upon graduates of BA LLB (Hons.), BBA LLB (Hons.), and LLM programmes, followed by the administration of a graduate oath and a sustainability pledge.
Hans India
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Judicial Corruption Deepens: Lawyers Under Scanner After Justice Verma Scandal
Gadwal: Judicial Corruption, Justice Verma Scandal, Lawyers' Accountability, Asset Disclosure, Supreme Court Inquiry, Alampur Bar Association. The recent case involving Justice Verma has once again highlighted the systemic rot. The incident that shook the foundations of public trust involved Justice Verma, whose residence was raided and large bundles of unaccounted cash were recovered. Following an inquiry by the Supreme Court of India, the allegations of corruption were substantiated, leading to suggestions from top judicial authorities that Justice Verma voluntarily step down from his post. The case became a symbol of the increasing corruption in courts, from the lower rungs to higher judicial positions. The report stresses that lawyers play a significant role in perpetuating this culture of corruption. Initially, some lawyers allegedly entice court staff with bribes, which gradually spreads into influencing judicial officers themselves. In the Verma case aftermath, the Supreme Court recommended that all judges declare their assets. A few did comply, but it still failed to restore complete public confidence in the judicial system. Corruption in the judiciary, according to critics, has grown uncontrollably, akin to the spread of a banyan tree's roots. In Telangana, after the state's formation, a notable case occurred in the erstwhile Palamuru district. A judge named Govinda Lakshmi, who was posted in Kollapur, and another judge working in LB Nagar Court were both dismissed from service after allegations against them were proven. Further concerns were raised in Jogulamba Gadwal following the formation of judicial districts. In cases related to compensation for displaced persons, several court staff members were booked by the local police. The case was later transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and remains under active investigation. The report also points to the unlawful accumulation of wealth by some practicing lawyers. There are instances where judges have allegedly been influenced or compromised due to their connections with such lawyers. This underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability in the legal profession. Alampur Bar Association President Suresh Kumar (2024–25) has called for reforms. He urged that the Bar Council of India introduce mandatory disclosure of assets by both judges and practicing lawyers every five years. While the Bar Council already mandates the payment of a Certificate of Practice (CoP) fee every five years, it does not currently require a declaration of assets. Kumar emphasized that the judiciary must not only cleanse itself but also become a guardian against corruption in all other institutions. Though there is a vigilance system in place within the judiciary, its lack of effective enforcement continues to allow corrupt practices to flourish unchecked. In his statement, Kumar appealed to all legal professionals to actively question and oppose corruption across every level of governance and society. He stated that until there is genuine internal reform, public faith in the judicial system will remain fragile..
