Degree Without BCI Affiliation: Crime Branch To Register FIR Against Law Institute At Jabalpur

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Bhopal Crime Branch will register a case against a law institute in Jabalpur for issuing degrees to law students despite its affiliation with Bar Council of India (BCI) ended in 2019.

Moreover, new admissions were also given to students at the law institute in violation of rules. Bhopal Police Commissioner Harinarayanachari Mishra heads the investigation against 135 such law institutes and colleges in Madhya Pradesh who were illegally issuing law degrees to students.

Police Commissioner Harinarayanachari Mishra said a probe made it clear that the law institute at Jabalpur had issued degrees to students in violation of rules. The first FIR will be lodged against the institute under the ongoing probe, he added.

It is worth mentioning that on March 11, the High Court issued instructions to take action against such institutes, colleges and universities which were giving admissions in unrecognised law courses—LLB and LLM in the state. Bhopal Police Commissioner was instructed to head the probe and take action while BCI authorities were asked to cooperate in investigation.

The High Court issued instructions while hearing on the PIL filed by some law students who were refused registration at Madhya Pradesh State Bar Council on the grounds that BCI affiliation to the institute from where they completed their law course has ended as it did not deposit the renewal fee.

The High Court asked to submit a report in this regard before he next hearing in the case on March 25. Additional Chief Secretary of Higher Education and Bhopal Police Commissioner will be present during the hearing.