Bar Council Election – ₹1.25 Lakh Nomination Fee Challenged

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has been challenged in the Delhi High Court over its circular dated 25 Sept 2025 fixing the nomination fee for State Bar Council elections at ₹ 1.25 lakh. Petitioners contend that this steep fee is arbitrary, exclusionary and undermines democratic participation of advocates from modest means. They assert the increase from earlier modest amounts to such a high barrier risks concentrating electoral influence in financially strong candidates and violates the equality and freedom of association guarantees under Articles 14 and 19 of the Constitution. The High Court issued notice to the BCI, the Union Government and others to respond. The debate also raises larger concerns about internal democracy in the Bar, representation of young and economically weaker advocates, and fairness in governance of legal professions. (latestlaws.com)