L. J. A. Kiran Babu (Petitioner) vs. Karnataka State Bar Council (Respondent)
CONTEMPT PETITION (CIVIL) Diary No.16629/2025
(J.B.PARDIWALA, R. MAHADEVAN, JJ)
The contempt petition was filed by K. L. J. A. Kiran Babu against the Karnataka State Bar Council (KSBC). This matter arises from the Supreme Court’s final judgment dated 30 July 2024 (Gaurav Kumar vs. Union of India), which restricted the enrolment fees payable by advocates under Section 24(1)(f) of the Advocates Act, 1961, and held that State Councils cannot charge anything beyond that and stamp duty. The petitioner alleged that the KSBC was defying these directions by collecting “optional” charges specifically, sums around ₹6,800 and ₹25,000, over and above the lawful statutory fee.
In the Initial Hearing on 15th July 2025, the Court heard the contempt petition and observed that although the petitioner was not an aggrieved person per se, public-interest contempt proceedings can still be entertained. The Court did not issue notice immediately but directed the Bar Council of India (BCI), particularly its Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra, to assist by clarifying compliance with the 2024 judgment. Consequently, the BCI filed an affidavit complaining that KSBC was indeed charging an “optional” fee, higher than the prescribed norms.
In the final Hearing on 4th August 2025, the Court granted the petitioner permission to appear in person and argue. The Bench unequivocally held that “there is nothing like optional,” and any amount beyond the statutory fee is not acceptable, whether labelled mandatory or voluntary, and is impermissible.
The Court ordered that the Karnataka State Bar Council immediately stop collecting any such additional or “optional” fees. The contempt petition was closed accordingly, and any pending applications were disposed of.
The contempt petition led to a robust reaffirmation by the Supreme Court that State Bar Councils, including Karnataka, must restrict enrolment fees strictly to statutory charges under Section 24(1)(f), plus stamp duty. All labels, such as “optional,” are immaterial.
