Mumbai law student moves HC against ban on transfer from private to aided govt colleges

Mumbai city news: Students from government or government aided institutes are allowed to move to unaided institutes

A law student from Mumbai has filed a writ petition in Bombay high court (HC) against a state government rule prohibiting transfer of students from private unaided law colleges to aided law colleges. The court is likely to hear the matter on Friday.

The Bombay high court is likely to hear the matter on Friday. (HT FILE)

The rule is part of Maharashtra Unaided Private Professional Educational Institutions (Regulation of Admission to Full Time Professional Undergraduate Law Courses) Rules, 2016, which were issued last year. However, the students from government or government aided institutes are allowed to move to unaided institutes during their undergraduate law course.

SB Talekar, the counsel for petitioner Utsav Sodha, who is studying at a Vile Parle college, said the rule is discriminatory to the students in unaided colleges and restricts their opportunities to study in better institutes. "There's no rationale for classifying students based on the basis of their institute. Merit has to be the only criteria for admissions. The ban on transfer is detrimental to students’ dignity as they should get an opportunity to interact with best of their peers," said Talekar.

However, the students are not satisfied with the state's clarification and are seeking complete abolition of the rule. "The rule favours private institutes and not students. The fees of unaided institutes is much higher than government institutes," said Sachin Pawar, president, Student Law Council, a city-based student group.