March 22, 2025: In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court on Friday upheld a Kerala High Court order allowing two murder convicts to pursue LLB classes virtually, dismissing a plea by the Bar Council of India (BCI) that sought to challenge the decision.

A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh emphasized that the BCI should not interfere with legal education, which is best left to jurists and academicians. "The BCI has no business to go into this legal education part… Have some mercy on the legal education of this country," Justice Kant remarked.

The BCI contended that the convicts attending online classes violated UGC regulations. However, the bench questioned the logic behind opposing such an order, suggesting that the BCI should have adopted a more forward-thinking approach. “Why would BCI challenge this kind of progressive order?” the court asked, adding that the convicts could potentially be acquitted by superior courts.

Clarifying that it was not seeking a stay on the High Court order but merely raising a broader legal question, the BCI argued for consistency in legal education policies. Nevertheless, the top court maintained that the peculiar circumstances of the case warranted flexibility, ultimately endorsing the convicts' right to education.

The ruling is seen as a significant step toward ensuring access to education, even for those serving prison terms, reflecting the judiciary's evolving stance on rehabilitation and second chances.