'Who Will Be Able To Contest?' Kerala High Court Questions BCI On ₹1.25 Lakh Nomination Fee, Orders Status Quo On State Bar Elections
“Who will be able to contest?" the Kerala High Court orally remarked today while hearing a plea challenging the Bar Council of India's (BCI) decision to hike the nomination fee for State Bar Council elections from ₹5,000 to ₹1,25,000— a 2400% increase.Justice N Nagaresh thus directed BCI to maintain status quo as regards to the issuance of notification for election to the State...
“Who will be able to contest?" the Kerala High Court orally remarked today while hearing a plea challenging the Bar Council of India's (BCI) decision to hike the nomination fee for State Bar Council elections from ₹5,000 to ₹1,25,000— a 2400% increase.
Justice N Nagaresh thus directed BCI to maintain status quo as regards to the issuance of notification for election to the State Bar Council.
The Supreme Court had on September 24 directed that State Bar Council elections be concluded by January 31, 2026. Pursuant to this order, BCI issued a circular on September 25, for the Constitution of Election Committees and imposed a hike on the nomination fee.
The counsel for the petitioner submitted that the reduction in the enrollment fee pursuant to Supreme Court direction is cited as the reason for the exorbitant increase in the nomination fee to Rs. 1,25,000, which he submitted restrict the candidature to only financially affluent lawyers.
BCI counsel sought time to take instructions in the matter.
“Status quo shall be maintained as regards issuance of the notification pursuant to Ext P1(Communication of BCI for conducting election)” the court ordered and posted the case on October 15.
Case Title: Adv Rajesh Vijayan v Bar Council of India and Another
Case No: WP(C) 36545/ 2025
Counsel for Petitioner: Santhosh Mathew, Senior Advocate, Shinto Mathews Abraham, Arun Thomas, Veena Raveendran, Karthika Maria, Anil Sebastian Pulickel, Leah Rachel Ninan, Mathew Nevin Thomas, Karthika Rajagopal, Kurian Antony Mathew, Aparnna S, Adeen Nazar, Arun Joseph Mathew, Noel Ninan
Counsel for Respondent: Rajit(SC-BCI), M U Vijayalakshmi (SC-BCK)