Breaking: Karnataka HC reserves order in challenge to 25% Domicile Reservation at NLSIU

The Karnataka High Court today reserved its order in a batch of pleas challenging the 25% domicile reservation introduced at the National Law School of India University, Bangalore (NLSIU)..A Division Bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Ravi Hosmani reserved its verdict after hearing all parties in the case..When the matter came up for hearing today, Advocate General Prabhuling Navadgi, appearing for the state government, continued with his submissions. .[NLSIU 25% Domicile Reservation] In last ten years, out of 800 graduates, only 33 enrolled with State Bar: AG Navadgi to Karnataka HC.AG Navadgi contended that in principle, NLSIU was not opposed to this new reservation. He further added,."Object of NLSIU is to produce world class law students who will cater to the needs of society in different aspects and if few students from the region will be accommodated, it will not compromise excellence of the institution.".AG Navadgi concluded by submitting that the institutional preference is now accepted by the Supreme Court as well, in its judgments..Next in line to place submissions was Senior Advocate Aditya Sondhi, who was appearing for an aspirant supporting the new reservation. .Relying on the Advocates Act, Sondhi pointed that the Bar Council of India (BCI) only had powers to promote legal education and lay down standards of legal education in consultation with recognized legal education institutions. .Challenge to 25% Domicile Reservation at NLSIU: This reservation is for students from elite schools, Karnataka HC observes.This is not same as establishing a university. In the instant case, establishment of NLSIU was done by a statute."BCI is contending that it is the founder of NLSIU", submitted Sondhi. .[NLSIU 25% Domicile Reservation] NLSIU is not a State University, State allots minuscule funds: Holla informs Karnataka HC .At this juncture, the Bench interjected, saying,."The tenor of their (BCI) submission is that statute itself has given an important role to BCI and therefore it should have been left with the question to the come out with a reservation.".Sondhi also referred to an article written by Prof NR Madhava Menon, the founder-director of the NLSIU. The letter states that initially, no university or state government was open to the idea of starting an integrated legal course for 5 years. .The fact that the state government had subsequently passed an Ordinance for setting up NLSIU showed its deep and direct involvement in the establishment and inception of NLSIU, Sondhi added..As the session progressed, all petitioners completed making their additional submissions as well.