BCI Affiliation Lapse at GLC Kozhikode: Kerala High Court Seeks Immediate Resolution
The Kerala High Court has asked the State government and the Principal of Government Law College (GLC), Kozhikode to take immediate steps to resolve the long-pending issue related to the Bar Council of India (BCI) affiliation of certain law courses offered by the college.
The case was filed by a law graduate who pointed out that the BCI affiliation for the 5-year integrated BBA LLB (Hons) course at GLC Kozhikode had not been renewed after 2011. The Court observed that this uncertainty has serious consequences and directly affects the future of students who completed their legal education from the institution.
While hearing the matter, Justice VG Arun stressed that the issue cannot remain unresolved any longer, especially considering the careers of former students. The Court made it clear that both the State government and the college authorities must take the initiative to sort out the problem at the earliest.
During the hearing on December 18, the Bar Council of India informed the Court that it could consider granting any relief to the college, including issuing an equivalency certificate, only after the college submits a proper compliance report addressing the affiliation requirements. The counsel for GLC Kozhikode requested additional time to file this report.
Accepting the request, the Court directed the Principal of GLC Kozhikode to submit the compliance report by January 5, 2026. On the same date, the Court will also consider the interim relief sought by the petitioner.
The petitioner, Muhammed Anwar Saidu, stated that he came to know about the affiliation issue only after his law degree was rejected by the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) in Canada while applying for higher studies and employment abroad. The NCA treated his BBA LLB (Hons) degree as ‘unqualified’ because the BCI records showed approval for the course only up to the academic year 2011.
GLC Kozhikode, in its earlier submission, explained that since 2012 it has repeatedly approached the BCI seeking inspection and renewal of affiliation. The college claimed that despite inspections, payment of fees, and multiple requests, no clear response was received from the BCI.
The BCI, however, placed the responsibility on the law college. It stated that after the initial approval expired in 2011, the college failed to submit mandatory compliance reports on time and did not pay the required inspection and guarantee fees regularly. The BCI further alleged that the college continued to run law programmes without valid approval and even introduced the BBA LLB (Hons) course in 2013 without prior permission.
Although the BCI acknowledged that the college had paid around ₹44 lakh towards inspection, default, and guarantee fees over the years, it clarified that payment alone is not sufficient. According to the BCI, proper applications and compliance reports are essential for renewing affiliation.
The case will be heard next on January 5, 2026, after the Court’s December vacation.
