writ petition of age bar - july 2013

47
SYNOPSIS The present Writ Petition has been filed before this Hon'ble Court under Article 32 of the Constitution of India as the fundamental rights of the Petitioner as well as other candidates have as enshrined in Articles 14 & 19(i)(g) of the Constitution of India are infringed by implementation of Rule 28 of Schedule -3 to Rules of Legal Education 2008 issued by the Respondent no.1 whereby the maximum age limit was fixed for pursuing LL.B.. The effect of enforcement of such amendment is that no candidates above the age of 20 or 30 years will be allowed to take admission in five years and three years LL.B. Courses, respectively. The basic issue in the present petition is that whether BCI was within its powers u/s 7(1) (h) & (i) and section 24 (1)(c)(iii) & (iiia), 49(1)(af)(ag) & (d) of the Advocates Act, 1961 to prescribe the maximum age limit either for three years degree course or five year courses vide

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Writ Petition filed against putting Age limit for doing LLB

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Page 1: Writ Petition of Age Bar - July 2013

SYNOPSIS

The present Writ Petition has been filed before this Hon'ble

Court under Article 32 of the Constitution of India as the

fundamental rights of the Petitioner as well as other

candidates have as enshrined in Articles 14 & 19(i)(g) of

the Constitution of India are infringed by implementation

of Rule 28 of Schedule -3 to Rules of Legal Education 2008

issued by the Respondent no.1 whereby the maximum age

limit was fixed for pursuing LL.B.. The effect of

enforcement of such amendment is that no candidates

above the age of 20 or 30 years will be allowed to take

admission in five years and three years LL.B. Courses,

respectively.

The basic issue in the present petition is that whether

BCI was within its powers u/s 7(1)(h) & (i) and section 24

(1)(c)(iii) & (iiia), 49(1)(af)(ag) & (d) of the Advocates Act,

1961 to prescribe the maximum age limit either for three

years degree course or five year courses vide Rule 28 of

Schedule -3 to Rules of Legal Education 2008?

A legal study is independent field in itself but is multi-

facet in character. It touches each and every aspect of

human life be it personal, social, environmental, economic,

medicine, engineering, computers, business, management,

accounting etc. At times an individual associated with one

field may aspire to study law in relation to his filed. For

Page 2: Writ Petition of Age Bar - July 2013

example ‘techno legal experts’ who is an engineer as well

as an legal expert who are required to deal with

arbitration proceedings which involves technical and legal

aspect of the contractual disputes. Similarly ‘Medico- legal

experts’ who deals with law and its medical aspect of it.

Same is the case of ‘Legal- Journalist’ who engages himself

in legal reporting of cases, incidents etc.

It is pivotal duty of everyone to know the law.

Ignorance of law is not innocence but a sin which cannot

be excused. Thus, legal education is imperative not only to

produce good lawyers but also to create cultured law

abiding citizens, who are inculcated with concepts of

human values, legal ethics and human rights. The

Constitution of India basically laid down the duty of

imparting education on the states by putting the matter

pertaining to education in List II of the Seventh Schedule.

But it now forms part of List III, giving concurrent

legislative powers to the Union and the States. Legal

profession along with the medical and other professions

also falls under List III (Entry 26). However, the Union is

empowered to co-ordinate and determines standards in

institutions for higher education or research and scientific

and technical institutions besides having exclusive power,

inter alia, pertaining to educational institutions of national

importance, professional, vocational or technical training

Page 3: Writ Petition of Age Bar - July 2013

and promotion of special studies or research. Empowered

by the Constitution to legislate in respect of legal

profession, Parliament enacted the Advocates Act, 1961,

which brought uniformity in the system of legal

practitioners in the form of Advocates and provided for

setting up of the Bar Council of India and State Bar

Councils in the States. Under clause (h) of sub-sec (1) of

Sec.7 of the Advocates Act, 1961 the Bar Council of India

has power to fix a minimum academic standard as a pre-

condition for commencement of a studies in law. The Act

thus confers on the Bar Council power to prescribe

standards of legal education and recognition of law

degrees for enrolment of persons as Advocates.

In exercise of its powers BCI brought Rule 28 of

Schedule -3 to Rules of Legal Education 2008 whereby

maximum age was prescribed for taking admission in legal

courses which was beyond its powers. Aggrieved by Rule

28 many candidates approached various High Courts, who

have granted stay of the impugned. Pursuant to which the

respondents were allowing the admission to LL.B. courses

without any maximum age limit of the students till the

current session 2013-14.

Further BCI to deal with the question of law involved

in the writ petitions pending before various High Courts

Page 4: Writ Petition of Age Bar - July 2013

filed a transfer petition seeking transfer of all those

petitions to this Hon’ble Court and this Hon’ble court was

pleased to allow the same. As such challenge to the

validity of Rule 28 of Schedule -3 to Rules of Legal

Education 2008 is pending before this Hon’ble Court.

It is submitted that fixing the maximum age limit for

being eligible for LL.B. Course has no concern either to

promote legal education or to lay down the standards for

such education but on the other end restricting the

opportunities for getting Legal Education. Hence Rule 28

deserves to be set aside.

LIST OF DATES

Petitioner is Journalist by profession is an Indian

citizen and is highly educated having Post

Graduate Diploma in Environment and

Sustainable Development; Post Graduate

Diploma in Print Journalism (English); B.Sc.

(General). The Petitioner being Journalist had

worked for Hindustan Environment Resources &

Development Centre, urban hydrological

restoration, and other green initiatives; he was

associated as a Correspondent with daily English

newspaper, Mail Today covering Environment,

National Zoological Park and Science; Worked as

Page 5: Writ Petition of Age Bar - July 2013

Correspondent with ‘Agriculture Today’, a New

Delhi based Agriculture and Rural Development

magazine now is presently associated with

Hindustan Environment Action Group (HEAG), a

non-government social body, as Principal Project

Coordinator.

After having obtained above qualification

and experience the Petitioner reached a stage in

his professional life that he started feeling

incapacitated to effectively enforce the

Environment Law and thought of pursuing LL.B..

The Petitioner approached the Respondent

no.2 and was informed the procedure for taking

admission in the LL.B. course is that first to

obtain a validate e-coupon for online admission

Session 2013-14 and fill in the admission form,

obtained 16 digit number by SMS. Thereafter the

Petitioner made enquires on the Call Centre

numbers mentioned in the E-Coupon and it was

informed that same cannot be accepted since

the age of the Petitioner is more than 30 years.

Prior 2008 There was no age bar for the admission in the

LL.B. (3 year course) as well as LL.B. (5 year

course).

Page 6: Writ Petition of Age Bar - July 2013

After 2008 In the year 2008, respondent no. 1 BCI

framed a Rule 28, in exercise of its rule making

powers under the Advocates Act, 1961. Rule 28

of Part-4, Schedule-3 of Bar Council of India

Rules, is quoted herein below :

“28. Age on admission

(a) subject to the condition stipulated by a

University on this behalf and the high degree of

professional commitment required, the

maximum age for seeking admission into a

stream of integrated Bachelor of Law degree

program, is limited to twenty years in case of

general category of applicants and to twenty

two years in case of applicants from SC, ST and

other Backward classes.

(b) Subject to the condition stipulated by a

University, and the general social condition of

the applicants seeking legal education belatedly,

the maximum age for seeking admission into a

stream of Three Year Bachelor Degree Course in

Law, is limited to thirty years with right of the

University to give concession of 5 further year

for the applicant belonging to SC or ST or any

other Backward classes.”

After incorporation of the aforesaid Rule-28 the

maximum age limit for taking admission in LL.B.

III years and V years course to 30 & 20 years

respectively. The said amendment is an

arbitrary exercise of the powers not vested in

Page 7: Writ Petition of Age Bar - July 2013

BCI and is made without any basis and there is

no reasonable classification in fixing the

maximum age limit.

2009 The validity, legality and vires of Rule 28 was

challenged in various Hon’ble High Courts of the

country and the operation of the said rule

regarding the age bar, was stayed by some of

the High Courts and is un-operational till today.

As an example the Hon’ble High Court of

Madhya Pradesh in WP. No. 5427/2012 vide

order dated 8.8.2012 was pleased to observe

that admission cannot be denied to student on

the basis of Rule28. Further Hon’ble High Court

of Andhra Pradesh vide order dated 31.3.2009 in

writ petition no. 6691 of 2009 was pleased to

suspend clause 28 of the said rules.

On the basis of the stay order granted by

the various High Courts, the students were being

admitted in LL.B. (Both the courses) above the

age of 30/20 years by all the Universities of the

country. All the Universities throughout the State

of U.P. were recognizing and allowing the

students above the age limit fixed by the said

Rule 28 for LL.B. course.

Page 8: Writ Petition of Age Bar - July 2013

2009 The Respondent no. 1 had filed Transfer Petition

(C) no. 640-649 of 2009 by BCI, before this

Hon’ble Court and this Hon’ble court vide order

dated 31-08-2009, this Hon’ble court has passed

the following interim order in abovementioned

Transfer Petition:

Issue Notice“There shall be interim stay of further proceedings until further orders.”

3.2.2012 Further vide order dated 3.2.2012 this Hon’ble

Court was pleased to transfer number of writ

petitions pending before various High Courts to

the Hon’ble Supreme Court so that question of

law can be finally decided.

2013-14 From the Session (2013-14), the respondent

No.2 University is not admitting the students

above the age of 30 or 20 for the LL.B. (3 year)

and LL.B. (5 year) respectively.

The respondent no.2 was giving admission to all

the students, who were above the said

prescribed age for the session 2008-09, 2009-

10, 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13 but

surprisingly for the current session i.e. 2013-14

the respondent university has placed an

embargo on its official website that a person,

who is above an age of 20-30 cannot fill up his

Page 9: Writ Petition of Age Bar - July 2013

or her form for LL.B. 5 years and 3 years course.

It is pertinent to mention here that in various

other professional courses like Engineering,

B.Ed., Medical, Indian Nursing Council no such

condition of maximum age limit is prescribed

for.

2.7.2013 A news article published in ‘Amar Ujala’

regarding implementation of the Rule 28 by the

Respondents.

23.7.2013The call centers of the respondent no.2 further

been informed that the last date of accepting

application form for LL.B. Courses. All this while

the Petitioner came across various candidates

who were interested in pursuing LL.B but

because of restriction imposed by Rule 28

unable to take up the course. The students are

suffering a tremendous loss and the actions of

the Respondents and the prescribed Rule no.28

are violative of Article of 14 & 19(i)(g) of the

Constitution of India and amounts to

discrimination on the ground of age, the right to

education of the student is violated.

In view of the aforesaid facts and circumstances,

as stated above, it is expedient in the interest of

justice that this Hon’ble Court may graciously be

Page 10: Writ Petition of Age Bar - July 2013

pleased to issue a suitable direction to the

respondents to allow the students above the age

group of 20 and 30 years for filling up the forms

for 5 years and 3 years LL.B. course, during the

pendency of the Writ Petition before the Hon’ble

Supreme Court, otherwise students shall suffer

irreparable loss and injury.

22.7.2013Hence the present Writ Petition

Page 11: Writ Petition of Age Bar - July 2013

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIAORIGINAL JURISDICTION

WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) NO. 2013

(PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION)

IN THE MATTER OF:

Akash Vashistha, S/o Sh.S.N.Vashishtha resident of R – 7/17, Raj Nagar, Ghaziabad (UP) – 201001 (INDIA) ………..Petitioner

Versus

1. Bar Council of India 21, Rouse Avenue Institutional Area,Near Bal Bhawan,New Delhi – 110 002

2. Chaudhary Charan Singh UniversityThrough its Registrar Meerut, Uttar Pradesh……..Respondents

AND IN THE MATTER OF:

PUBLIC INTEREST PETITION UNDER ARTICLE 32 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA FOR ISSUANCE OF WRIT OF MANDAMUS, ORDER, DIRECTION FOR SETTING ASIDE RULE 28 OF SCHEDULE -3 TO RULES OF LEGAL EDUCATION 2008 ISSUED BY THE RESPONDENT NO.1, BEING ULTRAVIRES AND VIOLATIVE OF ARTICLE 14 AND 19(i)(g) OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA.

TOTHE HON’BLE CHIEF JUSTICE OF INDIA AND HIS COMPANION JUSTICES OF THE HON’BLE SUPREME COURT

THE HUMBLE PETITION OF THE PETITIONER

ABOVE MENTIONED :

Page 12: Writ Petition of Age Bar - July 2013

MOST RESPECTFULLY SHOWETH :

1. That the petitioner is a citizen of India and seeks your

lordships leave to prefer a Writ Petition in this Hon'ble

Court under Article 32 of the Constitution of India as

the fundamental rights of the Petitioner as well as

other candidates have as enshrined in Articles 14 &

19(i)(g) of the Constitution of India are infringed by

implementation of Rule 28 of Schedule -3 to Rules of

Legal Education 2008 issued by the Respondent no.1

whereby the maximum age was fixed for pursuing

LL.B.. The effect of enforcement of such amendment

is that no candidates above the age of 20 or 30 years

will be allowed to take admission in V and III years

LL.B. Courses, respectively.

2. The Petitioner has not approached any authority for

the reliefs similar to the subject matter and various

petitions on the similar issue were transferred to this

Hon’ble Court which were pending before various

High Courts, in Transfer Petition (C) no.640-649/2009

titled as BCI vs. K. Haridas & ors. is pending before

Hon’ble Supreme Court.

3. That the present Petitioner has not filed any other

petition in any High Court or the Hon'ble Supreme

Court of India on the subject matter of the present

petition seeking identical reliefs.

Page 13: Writ Petition of Age Bar - July 2013

4. That the brief facts giving rise to the instant Writ

Petition are as follows:

a. That the Petitioner Akash Vashishtha is an Indian

citizen residing at R – 7/17, Raj Nagar, Ghaziabad

(UP) and is highly educated having following

qualifications:-

Post Graduate Diploma in Environment and Sustainable Development from the School of Sciences, Indira Gandhi National Open University;

Post Graduate Diploma in Print Journalism (English) from Institute of Media Studies and Information Technology, New Delhi YMCA.

B.Sc.(General) from SLC, Delhi University

b. The Petitioner being Journalist had worked for

Hindustan Environment Resources & Development

Centre (HERDC), a nature firm, tasked with urban and

social forestry, urban hydrological restoration, and

other green initiatives; he was associated as a

Correspondent with daily English newspaper, Mail

Today (India Today Group), covering Environment,

National Zoological Park (New Delhi) and Science;

Worked as Correspondent with ‘Agriculture Today’, a

New Delhi based Agriculture and Rural Development

magazine now is presently associated with Hindustan

Environment Action Group (HEAG), a non-government

social body, as Principal Project Coordinator.

c. That after having obtained above qualification and

experience the Petitioner reached a stage in his

Page 14: Writ Petition of Age Bar - July 2013

professional life that he started feeling incapacitated

to effectively enforce the Environment Law and

thought of perusing LL.B.. A copy of certificates of the

Petitioner is annexed hereto and marked as

Annexure 'P-1' (Pages to )

d. That the Petitioner approached the Respondent no.2

and he was informed about the procedure to be

followed for taking admission in the LL.B. course is

that first to obtain a validate e-coupon for online

admission Session 2013-14 and fill in the admission

form, obtained 16 digit number by SMS. Thereafter

the Petitioner made enquires on the Call Centre

numbers mentioned in the E-Coupon and it was

informed that same cannot be accepted since the age

of the Petitioner is more than 30 years. It was further

been informed that the last date of accepting

application form for LL.B. Courses is 23.7.2013. A

copy of sample e-coupon is annexed hereto and

marked as Annexure 'P-2' (Pages to )

e. That all this while the Petitioner came across various

candidates who were interested in pursuing LL.B. A

copy of list of candidates who could not get admission

because of enforcement of Rule 28 is annexed hereto

and marked as Annexure 'P-3' (Pages to )

Page 15: Writ Petition of Age Bar - July 2013

f. That the Petitioner than decided to get deep into the

matter and checked the exact status of the

restrictions imposed by the Respondent no.1 BCI.

g. That the Petitioner respectfully submits that each

state has State Bar Council, constituted under section

3 of 1961 Act and above this there will be a Bar

Council of India for the territories to which Act

applies.

h. That as per the provisions of Advocates Act, 1961 and

as well as Rules framed by Bar Council of India, in

exercise of its Rules making powers under 1961 Act,

the University is providing the degree of law to all the

law students. There are various colleges affiliated to

the Respondent University from which the students of

colleges get their respespective degrees from the

university and become a law graduate as provided

under section 2 of Advocates Act, 1961.

i. That section 7(h)(i) of Act, 1961 recognizes the

Universities, whose degrees in law shall be

qualification for enrollments as an Advocate. Further

section 24 of 1961 Act lays down that the person,

who may be admitted as an Advocate on a State Roll

and according to Clause –I (b), a person shall be

qualified to be admitted as an advocate roll, only if he

has completed the age of 21 years. The said provision

Page 16: Writ Petition of Age Bar - July 2013

does not provide the higher limit of age, for being

admitted as an advocate on a state roll.

j. That section 49 of the Act, 1961 further confers the

power upon the Bar Council of India to make rules for

discharging its functions under 1961 Act. It empowers

the BCI to fix the minimum qualification required for

admission to LL.B. Course and can also fix a class and

category of persons entitled to be enrolled as

Advocates.

k. That prior to 2008, there was no age bar for the

admission in the LL.B. (3 year course) as well as LL.B.

(5 year course). In the year 2008, respondent no. 1

BCI framed a Rule 28, in exercise of its rule making

powers under the Advocates Act, 1961. Rule 28 of

Part-4, Schedule-3 of Bar Council of India Rules, is

quoted herein below :

“28. Age on admission

(a) subject to the condition stipulated by a

University on this behalf and the high degree of

professional commitment required, the

maximum age for seeking admission into a

stream of integrated Bachelor of Law degree

program, is limited to twenty years in case of

general category of applicants and to twenty

two years in case of applicants from SC, ST and

other Backward classes.

(b) Subject to the condition stipulated by a

University, and the general social condition of

Page 17: Writ Petition of Age Bar - July 2013

the applicants seeking legal education belatedly,

the maximum age for seeking admission into a

stream of Three Year Bachelor Degree Course in

Law, is limited to thirty years with right of the

University to give concession of 5 further year

for the applicant belonging to SC or ST or any

other Backward classes.”

A copy of the Rule 28 is annexed hereto and marked

as Annexure 'P-4’ (Pages to )

l. That after incorporation of the aforesaid Rule-28 the

age limit for taking admission in LL.B. three years and

five years course to 30 & 20 years respectively. The

said amendment is an arbitrary exercise of the

powers not vested in BCI and is made without any

basis and there is no reasonable classification in

fixing the maximum age limit.

m. That the validity, legality and vires of Rule 28

was challenged in various Hon’ble High Courts of the

country and the operation of the said rule regarding

the age bar, was stayed by some of the High Courts

and is un-operational till today. As an example the

Hon’ble High Court of Madhya Pradesh in WP. No.

5427/2012 vide order dated 8.8.2012 was pleased to

observe that admission cannot be denied to student

on the basis of Rule28. The Hon’ble High Court of

Andhra Pradesh vide order dated 31.3.2009 in writ

Page 18: Writ Petition of Age Bar - July 2013

petition no. 6691 of 2009 was pleased to suspend

clause 28 of the said rules. A copy of order dated

8.8.2012 passed in WP. No. 5427/2012 and order

dated 31.3.2009 passed in writ petition no.

6691/2009 is annexed hereto and marked as

Annexure 'P-5' Colly (Pages no. to )

n. That on the basis of the stay order granted by the

various High Courts, the students were being

admitted in LL.B. (Both the courses) above the age of

30/20 years by all the Universities of the country. All

the Universities throughout the State of U.P. were

recognizing and allowing the students above the age

limit fixed by the said Rule 28 for LL.B. course.

o. That in the year 2009 the Respondent no. 1 had filed

Transfer Petition (C) no. 640-649 of 2009 by BCI,

before this Hon’ble Court and this Hon’ble court vide

order dated 31-08-2009, this Hon’ble court has

passed the following interim order in abovementioned

Transfer Petition:

Issue Notice“There shall be interim stay of further proceedings until further orders.”

p. That further vide order dated 3.2.2012 this Hon’ble

Court was pleased to transfer number of writ petitions

pending before various High Courts to the Hon’ble

Supreme Court so that question of law can be finally

Page 19: Writ Petition of Age Bar - July 2013

decided. A copy of order dated 3.2.2012 passed in

TP(C) no. 640-649 of 2009 the same are annexed

hereto and marked as Annexure 'P-6' (Pages to

)

q. That from the Session (2013-14), the respondent No.2

University is not admitting the students above the

age of 30 or 20 for the LL.B. (3 year) and LL.B. (5

year) respectively.

r. That right from 2008, the students above the said

age limit, were being admitted by the respondents

and after completion of their respective courses, their

results were also declared and thereafter they have

been enrolled in the respective State Bar Council of

the country. A copy of certificates of two students

who had obtained decree after 2008 and have age

more than 30 years are annexed hereto and marked

as Annexure 'P-7' (Pages to )

s. That the respondent no.2 was giving admission to all

the students, who were above the said prescribed

age for the session 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-

12 and 2012-13 but surprisingly for the current

session i.e. 2013-14 the respondent university has

placed an embargo on its official website that a

person, who is above an age of 20-30 cannot fill up

his or her form for LL.B. 5 years and 3 years course.

Page 20: Writ Petition of Age Bar - July 2013

t. That because of the in-action of the Respondents, the

students are suffering a tremendous loss and the

actions of the University and the prescribed rule

no.28 are violative of Article of 14 & 19(i)(g) of the

Constitution of India and amounts to discrimination

on the ground of age, the right to education of the

student is violated.

u. That it is pertinent to mention here that in various

other professional courses like Engineering, B.Ed.,

Medical, Indian Nursing Council. A copy of eligibility

conditions as contained on their respective cites are

annexed herewith as Annexure 'P-8' Colly(Pages

to )

v. That on 2.7.2013 a new article published in ‘Amar

Ujala’ regarding implementation of the Rule 28 by the

Respondents. A copy of new article published on

2.7.2013 is annexed herewith as Annexure 'P-

9'(Pages to )

w. That in view of the aforesaid facts and circumstances,

as stated above, it is expedient in the interest of

justice that this Hon’ble Court may graciously be

pleased to issue a suitable direction to the

respondents to allow the students above the age

group of 20 and 30 years for filling up the forms for 5

years and 3 years LL.B. course, during the pendency

Page 21: Writ Petition of Age Bar - July 2013

of the Writ Petition before the Hon’ble Supreme

Court, otherwise students shall suffer irreparable loss

and injury.

4. QUESTION OF LAW

a. What is the true and correct interpretation of sections

7, section 24, 49 of the Advocates Act, 1961 in the

facts and circumstances of the present case?

b. Whether the Respondent no.1 BCI has not acted

within its powers while fixing the maximum age limit

for taking admission in the LL.B. courses?

c. Whether despite stay order granted by various High

Courts, is not contemptuous on the part of the

Respondents to enforce rule 28 while the matters

being sub-judice before this Hon’ble Court?

d. Whether the rule 28 is violative of Articles 14, 19(i)(g)

of the Constitution of India being made in exercise of

powers not vested in BCI?

E. Whether BCI has any power under sections 7(1)(h) &

(i) and section 24 (1)(c)(iii) & (iiia), 49(1)(af)(ag) &

(d) of the Advocates Act, 1961 to prescribe the

maximum age limit either for three years degree

course or five year courses?

Page 22: Writ Petition of Age Bar - July 2013

5. That the petitioners are filing the present writ petition

before this Hon’ble Court, inter-alia on the following

amongst other grounds:

G R O U N D S

A. Because in the absence of true and correct

interpretation of sections 7, section 24, 49 of the

Advocates Act, 1961 powers have been misused by

the Respondents in the facts and circumstances of

the present case.

A. Because the Respondent no.1 BCI has acted beyond

its powers while fixing the maximum age limit for

taking admission in the LL.B. courses.

B. Because despite stay order granted by various High

Courts, it was contemptuous on the part of the

Respondents to enforce rule 28 while the matters

being sub-judice before this Hon’ble Court.

C. Because the rule 28 is violative of Articles 14 & 19(i)

(g) of the Constitution of India being made in exercise

of powers not vested in BCI.

D. Because the Respondents failed to take into account

various factors and the interest of the students while

framing rule 28 under the Advocates Act,1961.

E. Because BCI has no powers under sections 7(1)(h) &

(i) and section 24 (1)(c)(iii) & (iiia), 49(1)(af)(ag) &

(d) of the Advocates Act, 1961 to prescribe the

Page 23: Writ Petition of Age Bar - July 2013

maximum age limit either for three years degree

course or five year courses.

F. Because, the restrictions imposed by the

Respondents for current year 2013-14 is nothing but

an arbitrary and mechanical exercise of its powers

not vested in it.

G. Because, the action of the Respondents is highly

illegal and in the teeth of the judgment passed by the

different High Courts suspended the effect and

operation of the amended Rule-28.

H. Because the respondents ought not to have enforce

rule 28 especially when the Hon’ble Supreme Court

Court is seize of the matter.

I. Because, the stay order passed by different High

Courts staying the effect and operation of Rule 28

prescribing the age limit for LL.B. course are well in

the knowledge of University but the reasons best

known to the it, University is not allowing the

students above the prescribed age limit for this

current session 2013-14.

J. Because, of the in-action of the respondents, the

students are suffering a tremendous loss despite

there being sufficient seats available with various

colleges.

Page 24: Writ Petition of Age Bar - July 2013

K. Because, Rule 28 is illegal, mechanical, arbitrary &

unconstitutional and the same is liable to be set -

aside.

L. Because, fixing the maximum age limit for being

eligible for LL.B. Course has no concern either to

promote legal education or to lay down the standards

for such education but on the other end restricting

the opportunities for getting legal education.

M. Because, the orders of different High Courts are

binding upon the Respondents and the act of the

Respondents while imposing a bar on the admissions

for reason of age bar is contemptuous and in teeth of

the stay order passed by the different High Courts.

N. Because, until and unless staying the effect and

operation of Rule-28 is not vacated, the Respondent

is bound to give admission to each and every

candidate irrespective to his or her age.

O. Because in other professional course there is no

restriction of maximum age bar for pursuing medical,

engineering, B.Ed., Nursing Council etc. courses.

P R A Y E R

It is, therefore, most respectfully prayed that this Hon’ble

Court may graciously be pleased to :

Page 25: Writ Petition of Age Bar - July 2013

i. Issue a writ, order or direction in the nature of

Mandamus declaring the Rule 28 of Schedule-3 to

Rules of Legal Education 2008 issued by the Bar

Council of India as ultra-vires and violative of Article

14, 19(i)(g) of Constitution of India.

ii. Issue a writ, order or direction in the nature of

Mandamus directing the Respondents to allow the

Students above the age of 20 years and 30 years for

filling up the forms for V years and III years LL.B.

Courses.

iii pass any other or further orders as may be deemed

fit and proper in the circumstances of the case.

FOR WHICH ACT OF KINDNESS, THE PETITIONER SHALL, AS

IN DUTY BOUND, EVER PRAY.

Drawn by and filed by

( KRISHAN KUMAR)ADVOCATE FOR THE PETITIONER

New DelhiDrafted on : 20.7.2012Filed on : 22.7.2012

Page 26: Writ Petition of Age Bar - July 2013

LISTING PROFORMAIN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

1. Nature of the matter PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION

2. (a)Name(s) of Petitioner(s)/Appellant(s) AKASH VASHISTHA(b) e-mail ID......................................................................................................

3. (a)Name(s) of Respondent(s) 1. Bar Council of India 2. Chaudhary Charan Singh University

(b)e-mail ID.......................................................................................................

4. Number of case Writ Petition (C) No. of

2013

5. (a)Advocate(s) for Petitioner(s) KRISHAN KUMAR(b)e-mail ID [email protected]

6. (a) Advocate(s) for Respondent(s)......................................................................(b) e-mail ID......................................................................................................

7. Section dealing with the matter. Section .

8. Date of the impugned Order/Judgment..

8A. Name of Hon'ble Judges 8B. In Land Acquisition Matters :i) Notification/Govt. Order No. u/s.4,6).............NA............

dated.......................issued by Centre/State of....................................... NA..........................................

ii) Exact purpose of acquisition & village involved....... NA........................................

8C. In Civil Matters :-i) Suit No., Name of Lower Court. NADate of Judgment NA

8D. In Writ Petitions:-“Catchword” of other similar matters...........Rule 28 of the Advocates Act,

1961 ......

8E. In case of Motor Vehicle Accident Matters :Vehicle No........................................................................... ………………… NA..

8F. In Service Matters(i) Relevant service rule, if any.................................................................. NA...... (ii)G.O./Circular/Notification, if applicable or in question................................ NA......

8G. In Labour Industrial Disputes Matters :I.D. Reference/Award No., if applicable .......... NA.............Nature of urgency ............... NA

9. In case it is a Tax matter :

a) Tax amount involved in the matter... NAb) Whether a reference/statement of the case was called for or rejected................

NA

c) Whether similar tax matters of same parties filed earlier (may be for

earlier/other Assessment

Year)?.....................................................NA...................

d) Exemption Notification/Circular No....................................NA.........................

11. Valuation of the matter :

12. Classification of the matter : PIL

(Please fill up the number & name of relevant category with sub category as per the list circulated)

No. of Subject Category with full name :No. of sub-category with full name :

13. Title of the Act involved (Centre/State). Advocates Act, 196114. (a) Sub-Classification (indicate Section/Article of the Statute) Rules under Advocates Act, 1961 (b) Sub-Section involved. 7(1)(h) & (i) and section 24 (1)(c)(iii) & (iiia), 49(1)(af)(ag) & (d)

Page 27: Writ Petition of Age Bar - July 2013

(c) Title of the Rules involved (Centre/State)...........................................................

(d) Sub-classification (indicate Rule/Sub-rule of the

Statute)......................................

15. Point of law and question of law raised in the case

Whether Respondents are within its powers under the Advocates Act, 1961 to prescribe maximum age limit for admission to LL.B. V years and III years courses?

16. Whether matter is not to be listed before any Hon'ble Judge?Mention the name of the Hon'ble Judge...........................................NA.....................

17. Particulars of identical/similar cases, if anya) Pending cases. TP no.640-649/2009 titled as BCI vs. K.

Haridas & ors.b) Decided cases with citation.................................................................................

17A. Was SLP/Appeal/Writ filed against same impugned Judgment/order earlier? If yes, particulars..................................NA...................................................

18. Whether the petition is against interlocutory/final order/decree in the case

19. If it is a fresh matter, please state the name of the High Court and the Coram in the impugned Judgment/Order......NA........................................................

20. If the matter was already listed in this Court :a) When was it listed?.........................................................NA............................. b) What was the Coram?.....................................................NA.............................c) What was the direction of the Court.................................NA.............................

21. Whether a date has already been fixed either by Court or on being mentioned for the hearing of matter? If so, please indicate the date fixed......................NA...22. Is there a caveator? If so, whether a notice has been issued to

him?..............NA.

23. Whether date entered in the Computer?....................................................... NA

24. If it is a criminal matter, please state :a) Whether accused has surrendered......................................................................b) Nature of offence, i.e. convicted under Section with Act.......................................c) Sentence awarded..............................................................................................d) Sentence already undergone by the accused.......................................................

24 e) (i) FIR/RC/etc...............................................................................................Date of Registration of FIR etc................................................................................Name & place of the Police Station.........................................................................

(ii) Name & place of Trial Court..............................................................................Case No. in Trial Court and Date of Judgment.........................................................

(iii) Name and place of 1st Appellate Court...............................Case No. in 1st Appellate Court & date of Judgment……......................................................

Dated 22.7.2013

(KRISHAN KUMAR)Advocate for Petitioner (S)/ Appellant(s)/Respondent(s)

Page 28: Writ Petition of Age Bar - July 2013

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIAORIGINAL CIVIL JURISDICTION

I.A. NO. OF 2013(IN)

WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) NO. OF 2013

IN THE MATTER OF:

Akash Vashistha ………..Petitioner

Versus

Bar Council of India & Anr.……..Respondents

AN APPLICATION FOR EX-PARTE STAYTO,

THE HON’BLE CHIEF JUSTICE OF INDIA AND

HIS COMPANION JUSTICES OF THE HON’BLE

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA.

THE HUMBLE PETITION OF THE

PETITIONER ABOVE – NAMED

MOST RESPECTFULLY SHOWETH:

1. That the petitioner has filed the accompanying Writ

Petition before this Hon'ble Court under Article 32 of

the Constitution of India as the fundamental rights of

the Petitioner as well as other candidates have as

enshrined in Articles 14 & 19(i)(g) of the

Constitution of India are infringed by implementation

of Rule 28 of Schedule -3 to Rules of Legal Education

2008 issued by the Respondent no.1 whereby the

maximum age was fixed for pursuing LL.B.. The effect

Page 29: Writ Petition of Age Bar - July 2013

of enforcement of such amendment is that no

candidates above the age of 20 or 30 years will be

allowed to take admission in V and III years LL.B.

Courses, respectively.

2. The Petitioner has stated all relevant facts in the Writ

Petition, the petitioner rely on the same and not

reproduce herein for the sake of brevity.

3. That the effect of enforcement of such amendment is

that no candidates above the age of 20 or 30 years

will be allowed to take admission in V and III years

LL.B. Courses, respectively.

4. That various petition on the similar issue were tagged

in Transfer Petition (C) no.640-649/2009 titled as BCI

vs. K. Haridas & ors. is pending before Hon’ble

Supreme Court.

5. That the petitioner has prima facie good case in his

favour as the Respondent no.1 BCI has acted beyond

its powers while fixing the maximum age limit for

taking admission in the LL.B. courses and same is

liable to be set aside. Further various High Courts

have granted stay of the impugned rule which was

well within the knowledge of respondents and were

allowing the admission to LL.B. courses without any

maximum age limit of the students till the current

session 2013-14.

Page 30: Writ Petition of Age Bar - July 2013

6. That the Petitioner and other students will suffer

irreparable loss and injury if they were not allowed to

take admission in three years and five years LL.B.

courses despite there being sufficient seats available

with various colleges.

7. That since the last date of filing of forms for the

session 2013-14 is 23.7.2013, it will be in the interest

of justice that the petitioners and other candidates

may be allowed to submit their forms for pursuing

their professional courses in law subject to outcome

of the present petition.

P R A Y E R

In view of the facts and circumstances stated above, the

petitioner most respectfully prays that this Hon’ble Court

may graciously be pleased to:-

(a) grant ex-parte stay implementation of the Rule 28 of

Schedule-3 to Rules of Legal Education 2008 issued

by the Bar Council of India and direct Respondents to

allow Petitioner and other students of age group of 20

and 30 years for filling up the forms for 5 years and 3

years LL.B. course, till the decision of the Writ

Petition; and

(b) pass any other or further orders as this Hon’ble Court

may deem fit and proper in the interest of justice.

Page 31: Writ Petition of Age Bar - July 2013

AND THIS ACT OF KINDNESS THE PETITIONER AS IN DUTY

BOUND SHALL EVERY PRAY.

DRAWN & FILED BY;

[KRISHAN KUMAR]ADVOCATE FOR THE PETITIONER

NEW DELHIFILED ON: 22.7.2013

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIAORIGINAL CIVIL JURISDICTION

I.A. NO. OF 2013(IN)

WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) NO. OF 2013

IN THE MATTER OF:

Akash Vashistha ………..Petitioner

Versus

Bar Council of India & Anr.……..Respondents

AN APPLICATION FOR EXEMPTION FROM FILING OFFICIAL TRANSLATION

TO,THE HON’BLE CHIEF JUSTICE OF INDIA AND

HIS COMPANION JUSTICES OF THE HON’BLE

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA.

THE HUMBLE PETITION OF THEPETITIONER ABOVE – NAMED

MOST RESPECTFULLY SHOWETH:

1. That the petitioner has filed the accompanying Writ

Petition before this Hon'ble Court under Article 32 of

the Constitution of India as the fundamental rights of

Page 32: Writ Petition of Age Bar - July 2013

the Petitioner as well as other candidates have as

enshrined in Articles 14 & 19(i)(g) of the

Constitution of India are infringed by implementation

of Rule 28 of Schedule -3 to Rules of Legal Education

2008 issued by the Respondent no.1 whereby the

maximum age was fixed for pursuing LL.B.. The effect

of enforcement of such amendment is that no

candidates above the age of 20 or 30 years will be

allowed to take admission in five years and three

years LL.B. Courses, respectively.

2. The Petitioner has stated all relevant facts in the Writ

Petition, the petitioner rely on the same and not

reproduce herein for the sake of brevity.

3. That Annexure P- is the copy of News Article dated

2.7.2013 which was originally in Hindi and for better

understanding of the present case it is necessary to

peruse the same. The said documents have been

translated in English by an Advocate who has ample

knowledge of the said language and the said

translations have been filed with this Special Leave

Petition and have been marked as Annexures P- .

4. That it is humbly submitted that appointing an official

translator would result in an unnecessary delay and

an expense. The Petitioner is therefore praying for an

Page 33: Writ Petition of Age Bar - July 2013

exemption from filing official translation of the

Annexure P- .

PRAYER

IT IS, THEREFORE, PRAYED THAT THIS HON’BLE COURT MAY BE PLEASED TO:

a. Exempt the Petitioner from filing the official

translation of annexures P- ; and

b. Pass such other order as this Hon’ble Court deems

fit in the facts and circumstances of the present

case.

Filed on Filed by :

NEW DELHI KRISHAN KUMARDATED 22.7.2013 ADVOCATE FOR THE PETITIONERS

Page 34: Writ Petition of Age Bar - July 2013

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIAORIGINAL CIVIL JURISDICTION

WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) NO. OF 2013

[PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION UNDER ARTICLE 32 OF THE CONSTITUITION OF INDIA]

IN THE MATTER OF:

Akash Vashistha ………..Petitioner

Versus

Bar Council of India & Anr. ……..Respondents

WITH

I.A. NO. /2013 [An Application for Ex-Parte Stay]

ANDI.A. NO. /2013

[An Application for Ex-Parte Stay]

P A P E R B O O K

[FOR INDEX : KINDLY SEE INSIDE]

ADVOCATE FOR THE PETITIONER : KRISHAN KUMARFILED ON: 22.7.2013

Page 35: Writ Petition of Age Bar - July 2013

I N D E X

SL.NO. PARTICULARS PAGE NOS.

1. Listing Performa A – A1

2. List of Dates & Events B – D

3. Writ Petition with Affidavit 1 –

4. ANNEXURE:P/1:

5. ANNEXURE:P/2:

6. ANNEXURE:P/3:

5. ANNEXURE:P/4:

6. ANNEXURE:P/5:

7. ANNEXURE:P/6:

8. I.A. NO. /2013 An Application for Ex-Parte Stay

9. I.A. NO. /2013 An Application for exemption for filing OT