Gaurav Kumar vs Union Of India

The Supreme Court ruled that State Bar Councils (SBCs) cannot charge enrolment fees exceeding the amount prescribed under Section 24(1)(f) of the Advocates Act, 1961. The Court emphasized that all fees charged at the time of enrolment are categorized as 'enrolment fees' and any additional charges are invalid. The judgment reinforced the principles of substantive equality under Article 14 and the right to practice under Article 19(1)(g), declaring that unreasonable fees violate these constitutional provisions.