“Status Quo Only Applies To Fees”: Kerala High Court Modifies Interim Order In Plea Challenging 2400% Hike In Bar Election Nomination Fee

The Kerala High Court has modified an interim order directing to maintain status quo in conduct of election in the State Bar Council in the writ filed 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 V G Arun, in his order stated, "the status quo to be maintained only with respect to the nomination fee to be remitted by the candidates and is not meant to interdict the conduct of the election."

The Court earlier questioned as to who would be able to contest in elections if the nomination fee were increased in this rate.

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 would restrict the candidature to only financially affluent lawyers.

With the modification in the order that the status quo would be maintained only with regard to nomination fee, the Court extended the interim order.

The case is posted on November 4, for further consideration.

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)

Click Here To Read/ Download Interim Order