In a significant ruling, the Bombay High Court bench of Justice Ravindra V. Ghuge and Justice Ashwin D. Bhobe addressed the plight of law graduates whose applications for provisional sanads were stalled after their college was shown as “unapproved.”

 Background:

The fact of the matter was that these graduates, from a Mumbai-based law college affiliated with the University of Mumbai were denied provisional sanads from their respective State Bar Councils—a prerequisite for appearing in the All India Bar Examination (AIBE). The refusal was based on an online record indicating that the college’s registration had expired.

When the case came up before  the Bench, counsel for the Bar Council of India (BCI) candidly admitted  that the issue  arose  from  a website error, not from any fault of the college.

As recorded by the Court, “The learned Advocate appearing on behalf of the Bar Council of India submits that it is an error that has crept into the website. Respondent No.3 is already granted registration. By today evening the Bar Council of India would update its website and it would be reflected that the said Law College (Respondent No.3 herein) is a registered Law College. He, therefore, submits that now there would be no difficulty for any State Bar Council of which the particular Petitioner student belongs, for issuing a provisional Sanad to such a student.”

The BCI further assured the judges  that, in addition to emails already sent to certain State Bar Councils, all State Bar Councils in India would be notified promptly to prevent any further obstacles for students.

A Senior counsel for the college presented a letter dated 13 September 2025 from the Bar Council of India confirming that the college’s registration—originally valid through the 2024–25 academic year—had been extended for the following year as well. It was also recorded that all the petitioners had pursued their studies during periods when the institution was duly registered.

In light of these clarifications and assurances, the Bombay High Court disposed of the petition, effectively clearing the way for the graduates to secure their provisional sanads.

CASE DETAILS: Purva & Ors. V/s. BCI through Chairman & Ors., WP (L) No. 26865 of 2025