Vasudevan vs Bar Council of Kerala

P.R. Ramachandra Menon, J.—The petitioner has approached this Court with the following prayers: i) to issue a writ of certiorari or any other writ order or direction, quashing Exhibit P1 guide and P5 letter authorising to realise special fee for enrolment.

ii) issue a writ of quo warranto or any other writ or declaration that realization of special fee from retired Judicial Officer is unconstitutional and against the provisions under S. 24(i)(f) of Advocates Act.

iii) Directing the respondent to refund the special fee Rs. 25,000/- realised by the respondent to the petitioner.

iv) Granting such other relief as the petitioner may request for and this Hon''ble Court may deem fit to grant.

Today, when the matter is taken up for consideration, Mr. Grashious Kuriakose, the learned Sr. Counsel appearing for the respondent Bar Council submits that the Bar Council has already passed a Resolution to exempt the retired Judicial Officers from satisfying the ''Special Fee'' for enrolment as ''Advocate'' and in the said circumstance, Rs. 25000/- collected from the petitioner towards "Special Fee'' will be refunded to him forthwith.

In the said circumstance, the respondents are directed to effect disbursement, at the earliest, at any rate, within ''two weeks'' from the date of receipt of a copy of the judgment. Considering the submission made by the petitioner/party-in-person that an application has already been filed before the first respondent for disbursement of the ''Welfare Fund amount'' due to the petitioner, there will be a direction to the first respondent to consider the said application, if any, and appropriate orders shall be passed in accordance with law, at the earliest, at any rate, within ''two months'' from the date of receipt of a copy of the judgment.

The Writ Petition is disposed of, making it clear that all other issues, if any, are left open.