The Rajasthan High Court, Jaipur Bench, on Monday directed the Bar Council of India to respond to a plea filed by advocate Bhagirath Singh Chauhan, who alleged that his name was wrongly placed in the list of unsuccessful candidates for the All India Bar Examination (AIBE).
Background
Chauhan, represented by counsels Prahlad Sharma and Sharvan Saini, argued that despite being a regularly practicing lawyer and an active member of the Bar, he was denied a certificate of practice. His counsel pointed out that Chauhan had enrolled as an advocate in October 2012, paid the prescribed fee, and appeared in the AIBE in December 2012, where he was duly declared qualified. His enrollment number was R-1942/2012.
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Yet, in October 2022, the Bar Council's list omitted his name from the successful candidates, placing him instead among those who had failed to clear the exam. Later, on July 23, 2025, the authorities refused to issue his certificate of practice, which he termed as "arbitrary and unfair."
Justice Sameer Jain noted the submissions and remarked,
"If the petitioner has indeed cleared the exam in 2012 as claimed, refusal of certificate raises serious questions."
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The court found the issue troubling enough to seek the Bar Council’s explanation with supporting records.
Issuing notice to the respondents, the court allowed 'dasti' (personal) service to expedite the matter. It also directed that a responsible officer from the Bar Council must appear - either physically or through video conferencing - on the next hearing date, along with the relevant documents.
The case is now listed for September 9, 2025.
Case Title: Bhagirath Singh Chauhan v. Bar Council of India
Case No.: S.B. Civil Writ Petition No. 12233/2025
