SC Rebukes Bar Council, Upholds Kerala HC Ruling on Murder Convicts Pursuing LLB

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): On Friday the Supreme Court reprimanded the Bar Council of India (BCI), emphasizing that it should not interfere in matters related to legal education which should be left to experts and educators in the field. This remark came during the hearing of a challenge filed by the BCI against a Kerala High Court order dated November 23, 2023. The High Court had allowed two murder convicts to pursue their LLB studies through virtual classes.

Justice Surya Kant during the hearing criticized the BCI’s position stating, "The Bar Council of India has nothing to do with legal education... leave it to legal experts and law academics. Please show some mercy on the legal education system of this country."

BCI’s lawyer argued that the issue was not just about permitting the convicts to take virtual classes but also violated the UGC’s rules. In response the Supreme Court questioned what would happen if the convicts were acquitted by higher courts. The Court also remarked that the BCI should have supported such a "progressive order" instead of opposing it.

Although the BCI clarified that it was not seeking a stay on the High Court's order but instead wished to address broader legal questions the Supreme Court dismissed the BCI’s petition and upheld the Kerala High Court’s decision allowing the two convicts to continue their LLB studies online.