The Supreme Court on Friday ruled that the Bar Council of India (BCI) should not interfere in legal education, emphasizing that the responsibility lies with jurists and academicians.
A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh made these observations while rejecting the BCI’s petition against a Kerala High Court order dated November 23, 2023. The order had permitted two murder convicts to pursue LLB classes virtually.
Criticizing the BCI’s stance, Justice Kant remarked, “The BCI has no business to go into this legal education part…Legal education should be left to the jurists, to the legal academicians…and please have some mercy on the legal education of this country.”
The BCI’s counsel argued that the core issue was whether convicts could attend classes online, which allegedly violated UGC regulations. However, the bench questioned the need for BCI’s intervention, noting that the convicts could be acquitted in higher courts. “Why would BCI challenge this kind of progressive order?” the bench asked, adding that the council should have supported rather than opposed it.
The BCI clarified that it was not seeking a stay on the Kerala High Court’s decision but wanted the court to examine the broader legal implications. However, the Supreme Court dismissed the plea, affirming the high court’s ruling that allowed the convicts to attend LLB classes online, considering the unique circumstances of the case.
