Kerala HC Seeks State Bar Council's Stand On Plea By Retiree Challenging Denial Of Enrolment For Pursuing LLB Evening Classes, 60K Fee

When the matter came up for consideration, Justice P. Krishna Kumar directed the standing counsel of the Bar Council of Kerala to get instructions.

The petition also challenged the exorbitant enrolment fee charged by the bar council from retired persons, an amount of Rs. 60,400/-, much higher than the fee of Rs. 750/- prescribed under Section 24 of the Advocates Act.

In the plea, it is stated that the petitioner was prevented from applying for the coming enrolment when he filled up his academic details in the portal. He also stated that he completed his course before the commencement of the Rules of Legal Education, 2008, which prohibited enrolment of students who had done the course in the evening mode.

The plea also refers to the judgment of the Court in another writ petition WPC 6272/2027 wherein there was a direction to permit the enrolment of the petitioner therein who had completed the course in evening mode.

While challenging the optional enrolment fee imposed, the petitioner relied on the judgment of the Supreme Court in Gaurav Kumar v. Union of India.

Reliance is also placed on the High Court's decision in T. Koshy v. Bar Council of Kerala (2018), which prohibited the levy of a special fee from retired government employees and a special fee from those applying for enrolment after 5-10 years of course completion. The petition has also produced the order of the Supreme Court, which dismissed the SLP challenging the order.

The case is posted on Wednesday (September 3) for further consideration.

The petition is moved by Advocates P.V. Uttara and Samah Abdul Majid.

Case No: WP(C) 32947/2025

Case Title: P.S. Vijayakumaran v. Union of India and Ors.