BCI gives DU 1-year time for complying with its conditions

New Delhi, Aug 21 (PTI) Putting an end to the tusslebetween Delhi University and Bar Council of India (BCI) overreduction of seats in law courses, the legal educationregulator announced today that the decision will beimplemented from next academic session. "In the interest of the students, the standing committeehas decided that we will give DU a one-time relaxation for theacademic year 2016-2017," BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishrasaid. The Dean of Law Faculty at Delhi University, S C Rainagave an undertaking stating that the conditions imposed by theBCI would be complied with from the next academic year. The BCI had asked DU to shutdown colleges offering lawcourses in evening shifts. The recommendation has been madeafter a committee of BCI, the apex regulatory body for legaleducation and legal profession in the country, submitted anadverse report about infrastructure and quality of educationimparted at the centres of DU’s law faculty. Around 800 students are at present enrolled in DU eveningcolleges offering law. Following protests from students and aspirants, BCI hasalso agreed to allow for evening classes for existing secondand third-year students. The decisions were taken today by the Standing Committeeof the Bar Council. In an unprecedented move, BCI had in 2014 decided toderecognise DU’s law course after it failed to seek timelyextension of the affiliation of its three centres, namelyCampus Law Centre, Law Centre-I and Law Centre-II. However, it was granted a provisional extension ofaffiliation for the 2014-15 session after DU had proposed toshift to a new building which it claimed "had adequate space"for the faculty to run properly. However, after a fresh inspection by a BCI panel, thecouncil had noted that besides fresh violations, theillegalities earlier highlighted remain unattended. Following this, the BCI issued it a show-cause notice toexplain the "illegalities" in its functioning including morethan permissible student strength, lack of infrastructure andfaculty. PTI GJS SKVSMN