BCI Approval Missing for Many Law Colleges in Kerala, GLC Kozhikode Tells High Court
The Government Law College (GLC), Kozhikode in Muhammed Anwar Saidu v Bar Council of India & Ors has informed the Kerala High Court that several law colleges in the State, including GLCs at Thrissur and Thiruvananthapuram, presently do not have affiliation from the Bar Council of India (BCI). The statement was filed in a petition relating to the lack of BCI approval for the college’s 5-year integrated BBA LLB (Hons) programme.
The petitioner, Muhammed Anwar Saidu, completed his 5-year law degree from GLC Kozhikode and later learned that the BCI approval for the course had lapsed in 2011. His degree was rejected by the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) in Canada, which held that the qualification did not meet NCA standards.
The official BCI list also showed that the college’s 5-year integrated law programme had recognition only up to the 2011 academic year, even though the University of Calicut continued to admit students, conduct exams and issue certificates.
When the matter was earlier taken up, the Court had asked the BCI to respond. During the recent hearing, Justice VG Arun recorded GLC Kozhikode’s statement and posted the matter for further hearing on December 8.
College explains the missing approval
GLC Kozhikode said it shifted from the BA LLB programme to the BBA LLB (Hons) programme as instructed by the University of Calicut and in line with the BCI Legal Education Rules, 2008. Since 2012, the college has repeatedly written to the BCI seeking inspection and renewal of affiliation.
According to the college, a BCI inspection team visited in 2016 and reviewed documents, infrastructure and teaching quality. The team even interacted with students and appreciated the college for maintaining required standards. However, no communication was received from the BCI afterward, despite several reminders through letters, emails and calls.
The college added that in January 2025, it was asked to pay ₹18.5 lakh as a default fee and ₹5 lakh as a guarantee fee. Although the amounts were paid, no receipt or confirmation was issued. Earlier payments of over ₹24 lakh towards inspection charges were also left unacknowledged, it said.
The college further stated that the principal initiated online registration for affiliation when the BCI portal opened in May 2025. While the registration for the 3-year LLB course was completed, technical issues prevented completion of the process for the 5-year course.
Issue not limited to Kozhikode, says GLC
GLC Kozhikode underlined that the lack of BCI approval is a wider problem. It said that the Government Law Colleges at Thrissur and Thiruvananthapuram, along with several other legal education centres in Kerala, are also awaiting BCI inspections. The college emphasised that students aspiring for higher studies abroad continue to face difficulties because their degrees lack valid affiliation.
Petitioner seeks interim relief
During the December 2 hearing, the petitioner’s counsel sought interim relief directing the BCI to issue an equivalency certificate. The Court, however, orally asked the petitioner to first approach the BCI with a representation. The case will be heard again on December 8.
The petitioner was represented by advocates S Rajeev, V Vinay, MS Aneer, Sarath KP, Anilkumar CR, KS Kiran Krishnan, Dipa V, Akash Cherian Thomas and Azad Sunil. Standing counsel Rajit appeared for the BCI.
