Two final-year students from Pune’s ILS Law College have raised serious concerns about unused fees collected over five academic years, filing a formal complaint with Maharashtra’s Charity Commissioner. The students, Mayur Garud and Krushnakant Sathe, question whether their fees are being improperly diverted to subsidize external commercial activities conducted by the institution.
The Core of the Allegations
The students obtained financial data through a Right to Information (RTI) request, revealing a stark imbalance between the fees collected under various categories and the actual expenditures incurred between 2019 and 2024. Key fee categories like Training, Placement & Skills Development, Moot Court, and Library Services reportedly accumulated large unspent surpluses, leaving students questioning the transparency of fund usage.
Additionally, the college rents out campus facilities like the gym, swimming pool, and tennis courts to external parties, limiting student access despite these amenities being factored into the fee structure.
Financial Support and Unspent Funds
ILS, a government-aided institute receiving financial support from both the Maharashtra government and the University Grants Commission (UGC), has still maintained a high fee collection rate. This raised eyebrows during the pandemic when physical facilities remained largely unavailable, yet fees for their use were still charged, allegedly leading to “unearned profits” for the institution.
The complaint also points out that no fee exemptions were provided for students from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, or female students during the review period, further deepening concerns about financial equity.
Accusations of Non-Compliance
The complaint alleges violations of the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act, citing a lack of updated financial accounts and inadequate disclosure of how unused funds are managed. Sections 37 and 40 of the Act, which require trusts to maintain transparency and proper fund utilization, have reportedly been overlooked, leading to large, unexplained financial surpluses.
Demands and Next Steps
The students are calling for a comprehensive inquiry into the financial operations of the college trust. Their demands include the removal of trustees over alleged financial mismanagement, recovery of unutilized funds, and the imposition of penalties. They have also requested a special audit and reimbursement of legal costs incurred in pursuing the matter.
Attempts to stage a campus protest were thwarted by the administration, which issued a warning that legal action would be taken against participants. The notice highlighted the administration’s strict stance: “Students are hereby informed that they should not participate in this unauthorized protest. If any student participates, appropriate legal action will be taken.”
As the case unfolds, the spotlight is now firmly on ILS Law College, raising broader questions about financial accountability in educational institutions.