"It would be injustice to such law graduates who have not or could not approach this Court by way of filing the writ petitions seeking the similar reliefs and who would be deprived of the opportunity to appear in AIBE-2024. Hence this Court directs that the present interim order shall also apply to all similarly situated graduates who have completed their LL.B. degree from Government or Grant-in-Aid CLEs in the State of Gujarat not approved by the Bar Council of India due to noncompliance of the payment of regularization fees," the Court said in its October 21 order.

The bench issued the order in response to pleas filed by 29 law graduates from various law institutions in Gujarat. Their counsel noted that the graduates had submitted their enrollment forms to the Bar Council of Gujarat, but those forms had not been processed. This delay prevented the graduates from receiving their provisional certificates of practice, which are necessary for appearing in the AIBE 2024.

Counsel representing the State Bar Council explained that the verification process for the application forms requires time, and the deadline for accepting enrollment forms for provisional certificates is October 24. However, the Court directed the Bar Council of Gujarat to accept the application forms from similarly situated law graduates until October 31.

"The Bar Council of Gujarat shall grant provisional certificate of practice to such law graduates subject to final verification of their documents, so as to enable them to appear in AIBE-2024, if there is paucity of time to verify such applications," the order stated.

The Court clarified that its interim order was issued under specific circumstances and should not be considered a precedent.

Advocates Mitul Sheelat and Harsh K. Raval represented the law graduates in the case. Assistant Government Pleader Nishi Vyas appeared on behalf of the State of Gujarat. Senior Advocate Mehul Shah and Advocate Manan Shah represented the Bar Council of India, while Advocates M.J. Mehta and Saurabh J. Mehta represented the Bar Council of Gujarat. Advocate Mrugen K. Purohit appeared for Motilal Nehru Law College, a respondent in the matter, and Advocate Vikas K. Nair represented Gujarat University, another respondent. Senior Advocate Sudhir Nanavati appeared on behalf of other law colleges involved in the case.

Case Ttle: Saiyed Mahammadjuber Yunusbhai & Ors. v. Bar Council Of Gujarat & Ors