The Bombay High Court Supports Bar Council of India's Power to Inspect Law Colleges
The Bombay High Court Supports Bar Council of India's Power to Inspect Law Colleges By Abhishek Jat, Advocate In a noteworthy decision handed down on April 2, 2025, the Bombay High Court confirmed the Bar Council of India's (BCI) right to inspect law colleges. This ruling came in response to a challenge from the Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Women's University Law School, which had contested this authority. The Division Bench, made up of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice M.S. Karnik, ruled that inspection is a critical part of the BCI's role in ensuring high educational standards in legal education. What Led to the Case The issue dates back to August 2018 when the BCI set up a committee to inspect the law school in question. The school pushed back, arguing that the BCI didn't have the right to inspect individual colleges, claiming its powers were limited to overseeing universities. After refusing to allow the inspection, the BCI responded with a notice that thre...