Breaking: BCI Releases Results Of Exam For Indian Nationals Holding Foreign Law Degrees After SC Agrees To Consider Plea Against BCI

The Bar Council of India today declared the results of the '18th Bar Council of India Qualifying Examination for Indian Nationals Holding Foreign Law Degrees' hours ahead of the Supreme Court agreeing to consider a Writ Petition challenging the non-declaration of the result even after the lapse of more than five months.

The Vacation Bench of Justice Aniruddha Bose and Justice Rajesh Bindal had, upon an urgent mention made by Advocate Yajur Bhalla, agreed to list on June 9, 2023, the Writ Petition seeking direction to the Bar Council of India to declare the result. It was submitted before the Court that the Candidates will not be able to appear in the All India Bar Examination (AIBE). As per the writ petition, the rights of more than 75 candidates to practice as Advocates were affected by the delay on the part of the BCI.

In the Writ Petition moved through Advocate-on-Record Shubham Bhalla, Petitioner Anchita Nayyar had stated that the said exams were conducted from December 19 to December 24, 2022, at the BCI office. But even after a lapse of more than five months, the results of more than 75 candidates including that of the petitioner had not been declared.

It was submitted in the plea that denial of the right to practice as an Advocate is adversely affecting the Petitioner's right guaranteed under Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution of India to earn a livelihood. "Petitioner has filed this petition under Article 32 of the Constitution of India for the issuance of "Writ of Mandamus" to command the respondent to declare the result of the 18th INHFLD exam", read the plea.

Nayyar had also submitted that BCI personally assured them that the results would be released within a week, but it has still not been declared. As per the Petitioner, despite numerous attempts including phone calls, emails, and physical visits, the BCI failed to provide any assistance or respond to the concerns of the Petitioner.

It was further added that BCI's unjustified and inexplicable delay in announcing the results of the 18th INHFLD examination is contrary to expectations and lacks justification, especially considering its significant role as a vital entity within the judicial system. "BCI has completely turned a blind eye as even after the petitioner along with other several candidates on 12.05.2023 sought the assistance of Senior Advocate Indira Jaising, who subsequently penned an open letter to the Chairman of the Bar Council of India urging prompt release of the results, a considerable period has elapsed without any response from the BCI", stated the plea.

The Petitioner had prayed that the Supreme Court may be pleased to issue the necessary direction to declare the result without further delay and in a time-bound manner as may be provided by the Court.

In April, under similar circumstances, the Bar Council of India released the XVII All India Bar Examination (AIBE) result days after a Writ Petition was filed before the Supreme Court seeking direction to the BCI to declare the results in a time-bound manner.

Cause Title: Anchita Nayyar vs. The Bar Council of India [WP(C) No.619/23]

Click here to read/download results of 18th Exams for INHFLD