If a student is found guilty, they will need to provide documentation of release from prison or completion of term.
The Bar Council of India (BCI) has recently demanded that law schools put in place a number of regulatory measures right away, such as a system to verify students’ criminal histories, attendance compliance, CCTV monitoring at institutions, and student statements about their academic goals and work status.Candidates who are pursuing LLB courses can check the rules and regulations on the official website www.barcouncilofindia.org. The official notice states, “The Bar Council of India, in response to judicial observations regarding the need to monitor the antecedents and backgrounds of law students, hereby issues this notification for the immediate implementation of a Criminal Background Check System and mandates declarations concerning the pursuit of simultaneous degrees, employment status, and attendance compliance in all Centers of Legal Education.” Let’s take a look at the new rules in detail.
Candidate’s Criminal Background Check Is Mandatory
As per the BCI’s notification, law school students must make sure that, before getting their final grade and degree, they notify the BCI of any FIR or criminal case that may be filed against them. In the event that a student is found guilty, he will also need to provide documentation of his release from prison or completion of his term. If a student conceals this information, disciplinary action may be taken against him and his degree and mark sheet may be withheld.
Information on Degrees Achieved By Candidates
The restriction found in Chapter II, Rule 6 of the Rules of Legal Education (2008), which forbids law students from concurrently pursuing another regular degree, has been reiterated by the BCI. This step guarantees that students stay totally concentrated on their LLB coursework. A student may lose their final academic credentials if it is discovered that they are enrolled in another academic program without the required authorisation. Students are required to disclose not only their academic integrity but also their work status. According to the BCI, students cannot work in any capacity, while enrolled in an LLB degree unless their employer has granted them a No Objection Certificate (NOC).
Employment Status Of Candidates
Refusals in this domain may also result in the withholding of degrees. In accordance with Rule 12 of the BCI Rules of Legal Education, CLEs are responsible for implementing stringent attendance standards. It is necessary to notify the BCI of any disparities pertaining to employment or attendance.
Mandatory Biometric Attendance
The BCI requires that biometric attendance systems be used in all CLEs to guarantee the accuracy of attendance records. The purpose of these systems is to offer a clear and dependable way to monitor student attendance. CCTV camera installation is also mandated by the BCI in classrooms and other key sections of the organisation. These cameras’ footage needs to be kept for at least a year in order to provide time for any necessary verification or inquiry.
