Alumni of ILS Law College in Pune have written a letter to the institution's chairman, urging immediate reforms in its functioning amidst allegations of illegal fee collection, suppression of student protests, lack of transparency, and serious governance lapses.
Background of the Fee Controversy
The letter, dated April 23, 2026, comes at a time when the college is embroiled in a fee dispute. Students have accused the administration of levying unauthorized or excessive charges and have demanded refunds. The state government has already ordered action in a related case.
S V Kanetkar, chairman of the governing council of ILS, told TOI on Tuesday that he was traveling and would look into the matter after returning to Pune by April 30. He denied the allegations, stating, "All claims made by the students are false. We will explain our side at a later time."
Alumni's Grievances
Supporting the students, the alumni claimed that fees were collected under multiple heads in a "non-transparent and illegal" manner, without proper disclosure. "Students and parents were never informed how these funds were used," the letter stated, demanding accountability from the college management.
The alumni also criticized the handling of student protests. Referring to a protest held last year, they alleged that the administration warned students of disciplinary action and deployed police personnel on campus to suppress the protest. "Can students not question the college's decisions? Accountability cannot exist if criticism is suppressed," the letter asserted.
Broader Governance Concerns
Raising broader issues, the alumni alleged a lack of transparency in addressing complaints related to financial irregularities and campus facilities. They claimed that when internal action was taken in some cases, no detailed reports were shared with students. The letter called for urgent reforms to restore trust and ensure proper governance at the institution.
