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This is an archive article published on August 14, 2020

Advocate files PIL against ‘exorbitant’ enrolment fee charged by Bar Council; HC issues notice seeking reply

A division bench of Chief Justice Ravi Shanker Jha and Justice Arun Palli, after hearing the matter, issued notice to the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana and the Bar Council of India, seeking a reply by November 5.

Sushant Singh Rajput, FAU-G, Mumbai news, Maharashtra news, Indian express newsThe observations were made by Additional Sessions Judge Vinod Yadav in a bail order of Mohd Arif, who was represented by his counsel Mehmood Pracha. (Representational Image)

A 28-year-old advocate registered with the Punjab and Haryana Bar Council has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning the Rs 16,400 fee charged by the council for enrolment of new advocates.

A division bench of Chief Justice Ravi Shanker Jha and Justice Arun Palli, after hearing the matter, issued notice to the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana and the Bar Council of India, seeking a reply by November 5.

The petitioner, advocate Pardhuman Garg, argued before the bench that the Advocates Act, 1961, is the primary legislation governing legal practitioners in India. It inter-alia governs aspects pertaining to constitution of Bar Councils, admission and enrolment of advocates, their rights to practice and their conduct.

The petitioner further submitted that section 24 (1) (f) of the Advocates Act, 1961, provides that for being admitted as an advocate, a person has to pay Rs 600 to the state bar council and Rs 150 to the Bar Council of India. Furthermore, in case he/she belongs to the Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe, the enrolment fee payable is Rs 100 to the state bar council and Rs 25 to the Bar Council of India.

However, contrary to the legislative mandate, the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana charges an additional fee of Rs 8,600 as enrolment fee, Rs 1,050 in favour of Bar Council of India, Rs 1,000 as ‘building fund’ and Rs 5,000 as ‘welfare and insurance fund’. The total fee charged by the Bar council of Punjab and Haryana to be enrolled as an advocate comes to Rs 16,400, furthermore, the respondent council charges an additional amount of Rs 5,000 towards circulation fee in case an applicant wishes to get himself/herself enrolled the same day he/she applied for issuance of license.

In addition to the prohibition as prescribed by the provisions of the Advocates Act, 1961, even the Bar Council of India rules do not permit state bar councils to levy such an additional fee towards enrolment and circulation fee, he argued.

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. He is a veteran reporter with over a decade of experience, specializing in legal, crime, and environmental reporting across the tri-city area (Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula). Professional Background Core Beat: He primarily covers the Punjab and Haryana High Court, District Courts, CBI Courts, and Consumer Commissions. His legal reporting is known for breaking down complex judgments and tracking long-standing criminal cases. Environmental Reporting: Jagpreet has become a key voice in reporting on the deteriorating air quality and weather patterns in the Punjab-Haryana region. Crime & Technology: He frequently reports on cybercrime, digital arrest scams, and the intersection of technology and law enforcement, such as the development of citizen-centric policing apps. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His late 2025 coverage has focused on significant judicial verdicts, major financial scams, and public health concerns: 1. Legal & CBI Court Verdicts "12 years on, CBI court acquits Haryana judge, parents in wife’s death case" (Dec 17, 2025): Detailed coverage of the acquittal of a judicial officer in a high-profile dowry death case from 2013. "‘Wicked & evil mind’: Court gives man 30-year term for kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old" (Dec 16, 2025): A report on a stern judgment from a Chandigarh district court in a POCSO case. "Man acquitted in rape case after victim found ‘very happy’ in wedding reception" (Dec 9, 2025): Covering a unique legal observation regarding consensual relationships and age verification. 2. Investigative & Scams "CBI registers FIR in Rs 1.14-cr Patient Welfare Grant scam at PGIMER" (Dec 19, 2025): An exposé on how funds meant for poor patients were siphoned off through forged documents and a photocopy shop inside the PGIMER campus. "Month-long torture, Rs 85 lakh transfers: How ‘Innocence Certificate’ led to a ‘digital arrest’ of an elderly couple" (Dec 12, 2025): Detailing a sophisticated cyber fraud targeting senior citizens in Chandigarh. 3. Environment & Public Safety "Panchkula air turns ‘very poor’, fourth worst in country" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on the sudden spike in pollution levels in Panchkula compared to neighbouring cities. "Soon, you can snap that overspeeding car, and report to Chandigarh Police" (Dec 16, 2025): Breaking news on a new mobile application being developed to allow citizens to report traffic violations via geo-tagged photos. 4. Gangster Culture & Crime "City Beautiful in the crosshairs of gangsters" (Dec 14, 2025): A feature analysis of how Chandigarh has increasingly become a staging ground for extortion and rivalries between gangster modules. "Shooters wanted for Parry murder held by Delhi Police Special Cell" (Dec 18, 2025): Following the developments in a high-profile murder case in Chandigarh’s Sector 26. Signature Style Jagpreet is recognized for his tenacious follow-up on cold cases and his ability to report on courtroom drama with a focus on victim rights. His work often highlights administrative lapses, whether in the handling of patient welfare funds or the enforcement of environmental standards. ... Read More

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