20 law colleges face scrutiny for flouting registration norms

The colleges, which are among 138 from the state seeking BCI’s recognition, risk not being recognised by the apex body and may not be allowed to admit students this year.

Around 20 law colleges from the state have come under the scanner of Bar Council of India (BCI), the apex body regulating legal education in the country, for flouting rules that require them to be registered with the lawyer’s council.

In addition to being affiliated with a public or private university, law colleges are required to be recognised by BCI.(HT ILLUSTRATION)

The colleges, which are among 138 from the state seeking BCI’s recognition, risk not being recognised by the apex body and may not be allowed to admit students this year.

In addition to being affiliated with a public or private university, law colleges are required to be recognised by BCI. For many years, some of the colleges singled out by the apex body reportedly didn’t apply for the BCI recognition. The list also includes around 10 colleges which were barred from conducting admissions last year, but admitted students anyway.

“The BCI had granted permanent affiliation (recognition) to law colleges in the country till 2008. After that the colleges were asked to apply for affiliation afresh. But many colleges from the state never applied for it,” said a member of BCI standing committee. Till last year, many colleges which didn’t have BCI’s recognition, escaped the scrutiny.

However, this year the state decided to conduct admissions in all law colleges through a Centralised Admission Process (CAP), instead of allowing colleges to conduct their own admissions. The colleges were directed to get BCI recognition if they are to be included in the process.

“The Bombay high court asked us to ensure that all the colleges who are part of CAP have the necessary recognition from BCI, so that the students don’t suffer,” said an official from the state Common Entrance Test (CET) cell.