Plea In Kerala HC Challenges BCI's 2400% Nomination Fee Hike For Contesting Elections To State Bar Councils

The Kerala High Court has received a writ petition challenging the Bar Council of India's decision to increase the nomination fee for contesting in the State Bar Council elections by 2400%.

Petitioner Advocate Rajesh Vijayan termed the hike arbitrary, illegal, and unreasonable. The circular came shortly after the Supreme Court directed that State Bar Council elections be completed by January 31, 2026.

While the Bar Council justified the increase, citing reduced enrollment fee collections, the petitioner argued that financial constraints cannot legally justify such a disproportionate fee hike.

[Adv Rajesh Vijayan v Bar Council of India and Anr.]