Hundreds of current and former students of Pune's ILS Law College submitted applications on April 23 demanding refunds for allegedly illegally collected fees. The move follows the Directorate of Higher Education's order to refund Rs 1.04 lakh to former student Mayur Garud. The Bombay High Court had earlier this year directed the directorate to complete an inquiry into Garud's 2025 complaint.
Students of ILS Law College alleged illegal fee collection under "unapproved heads" based on RTI documents. The Directorate of Higher Education ordered a refund of Rs 1.04 lakh to Mayur Garud, with the inquiry committee noting it would be appropriate to extend similar refunds to other students.
Over 100 students attempted to submit applications at the Directorate of Higher Education in Shivajinagar. Advocate Krishna Sathe, an ILS 2025 graduate and NSUI leader, said, "At least 500 students tried to submit forms at ILS in the last few days. Due to the heat and rush, many could not be submitted. Now many have come to the Directorate."
Two fourth-year BA-LLB students said they had applied at both the college and the directorate. An anonymous student told The Indian Express, "I have calculated that in 2022 they took Rs 28,000 extra in the name of ‘other activities’ like maintenance of equipment, swimming pool, etc. It is not legal to collect such fees."
A 2021 batch student said many former students are gathering documents for claims. Dr Ashok Ubale, Joint Director of Higher Education, Pune Region, stated, "Several students have given applications to us. We will inform the government about the same."
The college said a response would be emailed but none was received, and calls to Principal Deepa Paturkar (Additional Charge) went unanswered.
