Maharashtra Orders Refund of Excess Fees to ILS Law College Alumnus
In a significant development, the Maharashtra government has mandated that ILS Law College in Pune reimburse former student Mayur Suhas Garud a sum of ₹1,04,863, including 6% annual interest. This decision, announced by Minister for Higher and Technical Education, Chandrakant Patil, addresses the collection of excessive fees without proper authorization from the university.
Background and Previous Findings
This refund order follows a series of official findings against ILS Law College. An initial inquiry by Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) in 2025, and a subsequent government order in April 2026, had already highlighted irregularities in the fee structure. A four-member committee, formed by the SPPU Vice-Chancellor in August 2025, first identified the issue of unauthorized fee collection, recommending action against the college in its report dated August 9, 2025.
Legal Proceedings and Government Orders
Further scrutiny arose from a writ petition filed by Garud in the Bombay High Court, prompting the Directorate of Higher Education (DHE) to form a three-member committee led by the Joint Director of Higher Education. Their findings, submitted on March 30, 2026, led to the government’s order on April 13, 2026. This order deemed the collection of ₹1,04,863 under ‘Other Fees’ for the academic years 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2024-25 as illegal and lacking transparency, thereby directing a refund with interest.
Legal Challenge and Re-evaluation
The Indian Law Society, which governs ILS Law College, contested the April 2026 order in the Bombay High Court, resulting in a fresh review. Despite a hearing and consideration of written arguments from all involved parties, the government’s September 2 decision reaffirmed the initial ruling, rejecting the college’s defense.
Analysis and Implications
The government’s decision highlighted that the Maharashtra Public Universities Act, 2016, effective since March 1, 2017, was not adhered to, as ILS Law College submitted its fee proposal to SPPU only on March 23, 2023. Consequently, the fees collected from Garud for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 academic years lacked official university approval. The government’s rejection of the college’s ‘deemed approval’ claim noted the absence of such a provision in the Act.
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The disparity between the fees charged to Garud (₹36,790, ₹31,283, and ₹36,790) and the university’s Fee Fixation Committee’s later approved amounts for 2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25 (₹2,714, ₹4,031, and ₹3,342, respectively) further highlighted the lack of transparency.
Call for Wider Relief
The order’s implications potentially extend beyond Garud’s individual case, raising questions about relief for other students similarly affected by unapproved fees. Students have collectively advocated for extended refunds, evidenced by a substantial complaint submitted to the Directorate of Higher Education, Pune, containing over 100 student signatures and detailed annexures.
As this situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the college and authorities will address the broader issue of fee refunds for all impacted students.
