The Kerala High Court on Monday closed a plea concerning the lack of Bar Council of India (BCI) affiliation for courses offered by Government Law College (GLC), Kozhikode, after noting that the college has now been granted a provisional affiliation by the BCI for 6 months [Muhammed Anwar Saidu v Bar Council of India & Ors].

Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas noted that the college had cleared the pending payments and complied with all conditions stipulated by the BCI for the grant of provisional affiliation.

The Court also recorded the BCI's submission that a six month provisional affiliation had been granted and that it would continue as long as the college maintained the standards of legal education as per law.

"Since the 3rd respondent (GLC) has already cleared the defaulted amounts and has also complied with all the conditions, provisional affiliation has already been granted. The standing counsel also submitted that the affiliation will continue as long as the college maintains the standards of education required by the provisions of law. Since the provisional affiliation is already issued and the compliance of conditions for continuance of affiliation is a matter that has to be complied with by the 3rd respondent, I am of the view that the grievance in the writ petition stands redressed. Accordingly the writ petition is closed," the Court added.

The Court also directed the GLC's principal to take steps to obtain regular affiliation for the college without undue delay.

The Court was dealing with a plea filed by Muhammed Anwar Saidu, a GLC Kozhikode graduate. He had raised concerns about the lapse of BCI affiliation for the 5-year integrated BBA LLB (Hons) course at GLC Kozhikode.

He had approached the Court after discovering that his degree was treated as 'unqualified' by the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) in Canada when he sought to pursue higher studies and professional opportunities abroad.

During earlier hearings on this matter, the Court had raised concerns regarding the impact of the affiliation issue on students and graduates of the institution and had urged the State government and college authorities to resolve the issue.

It had observed that uncertainty regarding BCI recognition could adversely affect the future prospects of students and graduates.

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.