Pravin Gandhi College of Law has approval; error on website shows otherwise: BCI to Bombay High Court

The Bombay High Court was told on Wednesday that Pravin Gandhi College of Law (PGCL) has Bar Council of India (BCI) approval and that an error on the BCI website showed otherwise [Purva Alankrita & Ors v. Bar Council of India Through Chairman & Ors].

The Bench of Justices Ravindra V Ghuge and Ashwin D Bhobe thus disposed of a writ petition filed by law graduates of PGCL who were refused a provisional license to practice after having completed their legal education.

"The learned Advocate appearing on behalf of the Bar Council of India submits that it is an error that has crept into the website. Respondent No.3 is already granted registration. By today evening the Bar Council of India would update its website and it would be reflected that the said Law College (Respondent No.3 herein) is a registered Law College. He, therefore, submits that now there would be no difficulty for any State Bar Council of which the particular Petitioner student belongs, for issuing a provisional Sanad to such a student," the Court recorded in its order.

The issue arose because PGCL was not listed as an approved college in the BCI's list of approved colleges of legal education since the academic year of 2016-17.

Counsel for BCI submitted that PGCL had been granted registration. He stated that all State Bar Councils in India would also be intimated of this fact through email.

Senior Advocate Milind Sathe, appearing for PGCL, submitted a letter dated September 13, 2025 from the BCI. The letter confirmed the registration of PGCL until 2024-25, which has been extended to the academic year of 2025-26.

Senior Advocate Nitin Thakkar and Advocates Jitendra Kshirsagar, Harshad Kshirsagar, Amanjhot Anand, Anita Bhagat, Shashi Varsulkar and Yogesh Pund, briefed by K&K Legal, appeared for the petitioners.

Advocate Prasad L Gajbhiye represented the BCI.

Advocates Uday Varunjikar, Yogendra Rajgor, Jagdish Rajgor and Meghna G appeared for the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa.

Advocate Manisha Gawde appeared for the State.

Along with Sathe, Advocates Gaurav Srivastav, Manorama Mohanty and Malika Mondal, briefed by SK Srivastav and Co, appeared for PGCL.

[Read Order]