Consider announcing pre-set schedule or time-table for AIBE in advance: Delhi High Court to BCI

The Delhi High Court recently directed the Bar Council of India (BCI) to consider announcing in advance the months in which the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) is likely to be conducted. .Justice Prathiba M Singh said that this is important because a large number of candidates appear for the AIBE and they may have to make arrangements to be physically present for the same. "The BCI shall consider announcing in advance, every calendar year the months in which the AIBE is likely to be conducted. This is considering the fact that there are a large number of prospective candidates who have to appear in AIBE, may have to make arrangements to be physically present to be able to give the AIBE examination. A pre-set schedule or at least an annual time table as part of the calendar every year would go a long way in assisting the candidates who wish to appear for the examination to make arrangements in respect thereof," the order said. .Justice Singh passed the order while dealing with a plea filed by a lawyer named Nishant Khatri. Khatri had approached the Court stating that even though he got enrolled with the Bar Council of Delhi in November 2019, because the AIBE was not conducted on time, there is a possibility that he will be stopped from practising. The Court had in the previous hearing passed an order saying that Khatri will not be debarred or stopped from appearing in courts and that he can rely on his provisional registration till further orders.As the matter was taken up last week, Khatri said that he has cleared the AIBE and thus the petition is infructuous. .The BCI, meanwhile, told the Court that fixation of a pre-set schedule for conduct of the AIBE may be difficult because the same requires consultation with various stakeholders from across the country. The Bench, therefore, disposed of the plea with directions to the BCI to consider advance announcement of at least the months in which the exams are likely to be held. .Advocate Binay Kumar Patra appeared for the petitioner.BCI was represented through Advocates Preet Pal Singh and Saurabh Sharma.Advocate Ajay Kumar Agarwal appeared for the Bar Council of Delhi..[Read Order]