VANSHAJ AZAD Vs. BAR COUNCIL OF HIMACHAL PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) By way of this writ petition, the petitioners approached this Court, feeling aggrieved by the fact that the Bar Council of Himachal Pradesh was charging enrollment fee in excess of what was prescribed under Sec. 24(1)(f) of the Advocates Act, 1961.

(2.) When this matter was being heard by this Court, the Court was informed that similar issue was pending adjudication before the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India.

(3.) Now, Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in terms of judgment dtd. 30/7/2024, passed in Writ Petition (C) No. 352 of 2023, titled Gaurav Kumar Vs. Union of India and Others. (2025) 1 SCC 641, has been pleased to declare the act of the State Bar Councils of charging enrollment fee beyond the express mandate of Sec. 24(1)(f) of the Advocates Act, to be bad in law. The conclusions of the judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court are quoted hereinbelow:-