Law student complains of ‘excess’ fees to University of Mumbai, fee regulation agency

The student alleged that the MS College of Law at Mumbra was flouting Fee Regulating Authority rules.

 A student from MS College of Law, Mumbra, has lodged a complaint with University of Mumbai (MU) and Fee Regulating Authority (FRA) against his institute for charging more than the fee fixed by FRA.

The student said the college was charging fees in excess. (Bloomberg File)

Yasin Kapadia, a final year BLS LLB student, said in the past two years the college has charged ₹23,680 and ₹27,450 from BLS LLB and LLB students, respectively. He said the fee fixed by FRA is ₹18,000 (BLS LLB) and ₹20,000 (LLB).

“The college is flouting FRA rules. Despite taking up the issue with the authorities, nothing has happened so far,” said Kapadia.

His complaint is being probed by the varsity’s Student Grievance Redressal Cell (SGRC). Despite organising two hearings so far, SGRC is yet to deliver verdict.

Until 2015-16, fee structure of unaided law colleges affiliated with MU was decided by the university. After Maharashtra Unaided Private Professional Educational Institutions (Regulation of Admission and Fees) Act, 2015, was introduced, law colleges were brought under FRA.

An FRA member said colleges have to abide by FRA fee structure. “We decided a consolidated fee for colleges,” he said.

The other side

In a letter to SGRC, college has refuted the allegations made by Kapadia and said it abides by the varsity and FRA norms.

“In addition to tuition and development fees, we only charge under the categories prescribed by the university and components that are not covered by FRA,” said Mahek Pathan, principal, MS College.