The Delhi High Court has directed the Bar Council of India (BCI) to conduct an inspection of Jamia Hamdard University and assess whether the teachers engaged for the LL.B course are in line with the Bar Council of India Education Rules, 2008. (Nidhi Bobal vs Jamia Hamdrad & Ors)
The order was passed by a single Judge Bench of Justice Rajiv Shakdhar in a petition preferred by one Nidhi Bobal alleging non-compliance of the statutory provisions and regulations concerning legal education by the Hamdard Institute of Legal Studies and Research (HILSR), Jamia Hamdard University (Law Department).
The Court has also issued notice to Jamia Hamdard, University Grants Commission and Bar Council of India in the petition.
It is the Petitioner's case that the functioning of the law department of the Univeristy was a "colorable exercise of power".
It is claimed that the legal education is being imparted in flagrant violation and total non-compliance of the statutory provisions of the UGC (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and other Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for the maintenance of standards in Higher Education) Regulations, 2010 as well as the Bar Council of India Rules of Legal Education, 2008.
It is submitted that currently, the Law Department has two permanent and two contractual teachers for an entire academic year to teach batches of first year and second year students of law, which comprises of 240 students.
The Petitioner has added that the students to teacher ratio is "completely contrary" to the BCI mandate.
Many of the teaching staff are not NET/JRF qualified and are thus ineligible to render services as a Faculty Member of any Law School recognised by the Bar Council of India, it is also claimed.
It is alleged that as per the information recieved pursuant to an RTI application, even the Dean of the Law Department is ineligible to hold the position.
The Petitioner has also stated that the Law Department has no access to drinking water, running water in washrooms, working Wi-Fi etc despite very high fees.
In view of the above, the Petitioner has, therefore, sought directions to BCI to undertake necessary inspection/enquiry into the entire functioning of the Hamdard Institute of Legal Studies and Research (HILSR).
The Petitioner was represented by Advocates Amit George, Mobashshir Sarwar and Piyo Harold Jaimon.
Takrim Khan appeared for Jamia Hamdard and Advocates Priyam Mehta, Saurab Shamra represented BCI.
The matter would be heard next on May 12.
Read the Order:
