Allahabad High Court Grants Interim Relief To SRM University, Its Officials In FIR Alleging Law Courses Run Sans Approval

A bench of Justice Rajesh Singh Chauhan and Justice Syed Qamar Hasan Rizvi passed the order on a writ petition filed by the University and its Registrar seeking quashing of the FIR lodged earlier this month under Sections 318(4), 338, 336(3), and 340(2) BNS.

For context, the impugned FIR alleged that the University did not have valid permission/ approval for the academic years 2023-2024 and 2024- 2025 to run the law courses, accept students' admissions and conduct the examination.

The FIR had named the University as the sole accused; however, its Registrar, Prof. (Dr.) Neerja Jindal also moved the Court, apprehending her arrest in the matter.

Counsel for the petitioners, Advocate Amit Jaiswal, submitted that the Bar Council of India (BCI) on September 3, 2025, granted an extension of provisional approval of affiliation to the Institute of Legal Studies for imparting a three-year LL.B degree course and a five-year BBA LL.B (H) integrated degree course for a period of one year, i.e., for the academic year 2025-2026.

The bench was also apprised that the BCI has also regularized admissions made during the academic periods 2023- 2024 and 2024-2025, subject to compliance with the Rules of Legal Education, 2008.

Lastly, it was submitted that even if the allegations are accepted on their face value, there may be some legal implications in light of the Uttar Pradesh Private Universities Act, 2019 and the Advocate Act, 1961, but for that, the FIR could not have been lodged.

The Registrar undertook before the Court that she and all concerned university officials would fully cooperate with the investigation.

Taking note of the submissions, the Court directed that until the next date of listing, no coercive steps shall be taken against the University and its authorities in the aforesaid FIR, subject to their proper cooperation in the investigation.

The Court also directed the Investigating Agency to provide the Registrar with the list of officials required for the investigation within three days.

The University, in turn, has been asked to provide details of such officials by September 13 and ensure their appearance before the Investigating Officer on September 16 at 11 a.m.

The bench made it clear that if the university officials do not cooperate, the interim protection may be withdrawn. At the same time, the Court cautioned the Investigating Agency to conduct and conclude the investigation strictly in accordance with the law.

The matter has been listed for further hearing in the week commencing November 10, 2025. The state has been directed to file a counter-affidavit within four weeks.