The Bombay High Court on Monday stayed the April 30 order of Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) fixing Indian Law Society's (ILS) Law College's "other fees" at ₹4,340 for the academic year 2026-27, while directing the college to file a fresh fee proposal.
A Division Bench of Justices RI Chagla and Farhan Dubash found that the College's 2024 proposal sought approval of other fees for the academic years 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 only and that it had not submitted a proposal for 2026-27.
The records before the Court also showed that SPPU had, through orders dated February 20, 2020, June 27, 2020 and August 25, 2021, fixed other fees made applicable from 2021-22 and then extended to 2022-23.
ILS' February 2024 proposal sought to enhance these fees substantially. That proposal has not been approved by the FFC. SPPU has been directed to decide on the 2024 proposal within two weeks.
As an interim arrangement, the Bench directed ILS to submit a fresh proposal for other fees for 2026-27 at whatever rate it wishes to charge, within two weeks. SPPU must take a decision on that proposal within four weeks of receiving it.
Until then, any other fees collected above ₹4,340 must be deposited into an escrow account and will be refunded to students if the higher amount is ultimately not approved or is struck down, the Court said.
The matter will next be heard on August 24.
SPPU was represented by advocate Rajendra Anbhule.
ILS was represented by Senior Advocate YS Jahagirdar, who was instructed by advocate Shailendra S Kanetkar.
The State and its CET Cell was represented by advocate Vaishali Nimbalkar.
Intervening students were represented by advocates Pradnya Talekar, Madhavi and Adesh Konde Deshmukh.