ILS Law College and the Indian Law Society have moved the Bombay High Court, challenging a communication issued by the Savitribai Phule Pune University fixing the quantum of "Other Fees" chargeable for LL.B. and B.A. LL.B. programmes from the academic year 2026-27. The petitioners contend that the University's decision is arbitrary, was taken without any proposal from the institution, without inquiry or hearing, and has the effect of drastically reducing the fees previously charged by the college.

The petition has been filed by the Indian Law Society and ILS Law College against the State of Maharashtra, Savitribai Phule Pune University and other authorities. The challenge is directed against a communication dated 30 April 2026 issued by the University fixing the "Other Fees" for LL.B. (3 Years) and B.A. LL.B. (5 Years) programmes. The petitioners seek permission to charge the same "Other Fees" that were charged during the academic year 2025-26 while admitting students for the academic year 2026-27.

According to the petition, the University has fixed the amount chargeable under the disputed head at ₹4,340 without any assessment or evaluation of the facilities provided by the institution. The petitioners contend that they had been charging ₹36,790 per year towards fees for various activities, facilities and services provided to students and that such fees had been charged since 2018-19 without objection from the University. It is their case that these charges were always disclosed and collected through official fee challans and had never been disapproved.

The petitioners have relied on earlier University orders which, according to them, permitted colleges to charge reasonable fees for services and activities such as seminars, workshops, study material, internet facilities, training and placement activities, study tours and other student-related facilities. They contend that under Section 101 of the Maharashtra Public Universities Act, colleges are entitled to seek approval for charging fees different from the generally prescribed fee structure on the basis of additional facilities provided by them.

The petition further states that the impugned communication is non-speaking, has been issued without following principles of natural justice and bypasses the statutory procedure contemplated under the Maharashtra Public Universities Act. According to the petitioners, the amount fixed by the University is "abysmally low" and would compel the institution to operate at a severe loss, thereby threatening its very existence and affecting its right to carry on its occupation.

The petitioners have therefore sought quashing of the impugned communication and a direction permitting them to continue charging the same "Other Fees" as charged in the academic year 2025-26.

Case Title: Indian Law Society v. State of Maharashtra

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