Karnataka HC Asks BCI if it has Powers to Relax Requirements of Moot Courts, Internships Amid Covid-19

The Karnataka High Court has directed the Bar Council of India (BCI) to clarify if it has powers to relax rules and if it has been exercised to allow Law Universities to issue alternative guidelines, to dispense the mandatory regulations for all final year students of Five Year Law Course, to engage themselves in moot courts, internships, pre-trial preparation etc, for the academic year 2019-20.
The observation followed after the University of Law College, Bangalore submitted that as per the guidelines issued by UGC and as per the press note issued by the Bar Council of India onJune 9, the University has adopted alternative guidelines with regard to requirements under 24 (b) and (c) only for academic year, 2019-2020. The direction was given during the hearing of a petition filed by two law students, Gautham R and Krishnamurthy T K, students of University law college, Bangalore pursuing 5 years integrated BA LLB course.