Pune: ILS Law College Ordered to Refund ₹1.04 Lakh to Student with 6% Interest

Maharashtra govt directs ILS Law College Pune to refund ₹1.04 lakh excess fees with 6% interest after probe finds illegal fee collection.

Pune, April 21, 2026: In a significant development for students’ rights, the Maharashtra Directorate of Higher Education has directed ILS Law College to refund ₹1.04 lakh to a student after finding that the amount was collected illegally under unapproved fee heads. The order also mandates the college to pay 6% annual interest on the excess amount from the date of payment until the refund is completed.

The incident came to light after a complaint filed by student Mayur Garud, who alleged that the college had been charging additional fees beyond the approved structure. Acting on directions from the Bombay High Court, the state government initiated a detailed inquiry into the allegations. The investigation confirmed that the college had collected ₹1,04,863 from the student between the academic years 2020–21 and 2024–25 without proper approval under the Maharashtra Public Universities Act, 2016.

The inquiry committee found that the institution introduced 17 to 19 unauthorized fee heads, often grouped under vague categories like “other activities,” which lacked statutory approval from authorities such as Savitribai Phule Pune University. These charges resulted in students paying an additional ₹34,000 to ₹42,000 annually, raising serious concerns about transparency and compliance.

Based on these findings, the Directorate ordered immediate refund of the excess amount along with interest and instructed the college to submit a compliance report to the state government. Officials also indicated that similar refunds may be applicable to other students who were charged under the same unapproved fee structure.

The case traces back to early 2025, when the issue first surfaced through a Right to Information (RTI) query. After initial inaction, the student approached the Bombay High Court, which in February 2026 directed the state to complete the investigation within a fixed timeline. The subsequent probe not only validated the complain but also exposed what appears to be a broader pattern of non-transparent fee practices within the institution.

Education experts and student groups have termed the order a landmark step toward accountability in higher education. They argue that the ruling could open the door for many more students to seek refunds, potentially leading to a larger financial impact on the institution.

The directive against ILS Law College underscores the importance of transparency in fee structures and reinforces student rights in higher education. As the incident unfolds, it may trigger wider scrutiny of fee practices across colleges in Maharashtra

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