The All-India Lawyers’ Association for Justice, AILAJ has written the letter to the Bar Council of India and Bar Council of Delhi, wherein it is urged them to promptly take measures to ensure that all State Bar Councils limit the enrolment fees to Rs. 750 until the courts reach out the final decision on the said matter.
The AILAJ stated that the exorbitant enrolment fees is to be charged by various State Bar Councils acts as a hurdle for students from marginalized communities who aspire to enter into the legal profession.
However, the letter written refers to the decision of the Apex Court in the case BCI v. Bonnie Foi Law College, wherein the court upheld the validity of the All-India Bar Examination, AIBE but the court expressed the strong concern over the lack of uniformity in the enrolment fees. Therefore, it has also been stated that the pleas from different Bar Councils are charging different fees for enrolment ad this being something which requires the attention of the Bar Council of India, which possesses the power to ensure the observance of a uniform pattern and prevent the fee from becoming oppressive for young students entering the legal profession.
It has also been mentioned before the court that the Karala High Court in the case of The Bar Council of Kerala vs. Akshai M. Sivan observed and has directed the Bar Council of Kerala to collect only Rs. 750/- as the enrolment fee from law graduates who wish to enrol. Similarly, the letter written refers to the similar petitions which are pending in different High Courts like Odisha, Bombay.
It has also been referred to the to the recent PIL filed before the Supreme Court in the case of Gaurav Kumar vs. Union of India, wherein it challenged the exorbitant enrolment fees which is being charged by various state bar councils.
The All-India Lawyers’ Association for Justice, AILAJ stated that the enrolment fees by the State Bar Councils, other than what is being prescribed as stated under section 24(1)(f) is in blatant violation of the right to equality and equal treatment before the law guaranteed to law students and the graduates as enshrined in Article 14 of the Constitution of India.