BCI Issues Show Cause Notice To RMLNLU Over Lapsed Approval, Says University Misled Public

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has issued a show cause notice to Dr Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University (RMLNLU), Lucknow, over the lapse of its approval and the statements made by the institution regarding the issue. The Council has alleged that the University’s public position was incomplete, legally unsustainable, and misleading.

The notice was issued on June 6 following concerns raised about the University’s absence from the list of approved Centres of Legal Education. The matter gained attention after students staged a protest on May 27 and questioned the status of the institution’s recognition.

According to the BCI, the University had publicly stated that approval from 2023 onwards was pending with the Council. However, the regulator said its records indicate that the present situation arose because of delays, omissions, incomplete compliance, and failure by the University to secure timely approval for the relevant academic sessions.

The Council clarified that updates made on the BCI portal during the academic years 2024-25 and 2025-26 were only institutional data updations and not applications seeking renewal or extension of approval. It stated that the substantive application seeking extension of approval was filed only on April 1, 2026.

Rejecting the University’s position, the BCI said that portal updation cannot be treated as statutory approval. It further emphasised that filing an application after significant delay cannot retrospectively cure the absence of approval for academic sessions that had already commenced or concluded.

The regulator also addressed the University’s claim regarding payment of fees. It noted that payment of application fees, portal fees, processing fees, or late fees does not automatically result in approval. Approval, according to the Council, requires independent examination and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Another issue highlighted in the notice relates to the mandatory security deposit. BCI records reportedly show that RMLNLU deposited only ₹1 lakh against the required ₹5 lakh per law degree course. The University has been asked to explain the apparent shortfall.

The Council also referred to a compliance affidavit submitted by the University. The affidavit acknowledged approval only until the academic session 2022-23 and contained an undertaking that no admissions or courses would continue without prior approval and continued recognition from the BCI.

The University has been directed to explain alleged failures, including not maintaining approval continuity, delayed filing of extension applications, admitting students without valid approval, and making incomplete public statements. It has also been asked to issue a corrective public statement.

While assuring protection to students admitted during the approved 2022-23 session, the BCI said that students admitted from 2023-24 onwards should not suffer because of administrative lapses. The Council stressed that it is the University’s responsibility to regularise deficiencies before such students complete their studies and seek enrolment as advocates.