Bombay High Court Orders Probe into ILS Law College's Alleged Illegal Fee Collection
Pune, India - In a significant development for student rights and educational accountability, the Bombay High Court has directed the Maharashtra government to conduct a thorough investigation into allegations of illegal fee collection by the prestigious ILS Law College in Pune. The order comes in response to a complaint filed by a former student, Mayur Garud, who claims the college has been levying substantial unauthorised charges and capitation fees.
High Court Mandates State Inquiry
A division bench of the Bombay High Court, comprising Justice R.I. Chagla and Justice Advait Sethna, issued a clear directive on February 12, requiring the state government to adjudicate upon the complaint lodged by Mr. Garud on April 11, 2025. The court has set a two-month deadline for the state to reach a decision on the matter, underscoring the urgency and seriousness of the allegations.
The Nature of the Allegations
According to Mr. Garud's complaint, ILS Law College has been systematically overcharging students far beyond the fee structure officially sanctioned by the Fee Fixation Committee of Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU). The SPPU, through its circulars dated February 28, 2020, and February 24, 2024, had stipulated a fee of Rs 2,345 for the college under 19 specific heads. However, Mr. Garud alleges that the college went on to collect an additional Rs 36,790 per student by introducing 17 other 'unauthorised heads'.
Capitation Fee Concerns
The crux of the complaint lies in the assertion that these additional collections constitute a 'capitation fee', which is explicitly prohibited under the Maharashtra Educational Institutions (Prohibition of Capitation Fee) Act, 1987. Capitation fees are typically defined as payments made to an educational institution in excess of the prescribed tuition fees, often as a condition of admission or for services not covered by the standard fee structure.
A Former Student's Grievance
Mayur Garud, who graduated from ILS Law College in May 2025, stated that his involvement in protesting the alleged overcharging while he was a student there was a catalyst for his subsequent formal complaint. Following his graduation, he escalated the issue by filing a detailed complaint with the Maharashtra Higher Education Department on April 11, 2025.
Legal Recourse and Court Petition
When his administrative complaint did not yield the desired action, Mr. Garud took his case to the Bombay High Court in July, seeking judicial intervention. His petition aimed to compel the state government to take decisive action against the alleged illegal collection of capitation fees. Furthermore, he sought a refund of Rs 1,04,863, along with accrued interest, which he claims was illegally collected from him. Mr. Garud also sought the quashing of a show-cause notice issued to him by the college on March 24, 2025, which he believes was retaliatory for his peaceful protests against the fee irregularities.
Financial Implications and RTI Revelations
In a press release issued following the High Court's order, Mr. Garud highlighted the staggering financial scale of the alleged irregularities. Citing information obtained by the college itself under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, he claimed that approximately Rs 29,64,37,402 were collected under these allegedly illegal heads over the last five academic years. He contrasted this with the stated expenditure on student facilities during the same period, which he claimed was only around Rs 4,09,19,990.95, suggesting a significant discrepancy and potential misappropriation of funds.
The Path Forward
The Bombay High Court's directive to the state government to decide on Mr. Garud's complaint within two months is a crucial step. It places the onus on the authorities to thoroughly examine the evidence, hear all parties involved, and take appropriate action to ensure compliance with educational regulations and protect students from exploitative financial practices.
The ILS Law College authorities were reportedly unavailable for comment when attempts were made to reach them for their response to the court's order and the allegations. The outcome of this state-led inquiry will be keenly watched by students, parents, and educational institutions across Maharashtra, potentially setting a precedent for addressing similar grievances in the future.
