The Appellate Division on Sunday fined three private universities Tk 10 lakh each for violating the the decision of University Grants Commission and Bar Council for not enrolling over 50 law students.

A six-member bench of the Appellate Division, led by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, passed the order.

The three varsities are: Islamia University, Southeast University and Eastern University.

The court also asked the authorities of the two universities to donate the money to National Liver Foundation of Bangladesh while another to Kidney Foundation Hospital and Research Institute.

Additional Attorney General Murad Reza stood for Bar Council while Advocate AM Amin Uddin and Shah Monjurul Hoque represented the students in the court.

UNB adds: Several students of the universities filed separate writ petitions challenging the decision of Bar Council to not allow them take exams. The High Court issued a rule and an interim order allowing the students to take Bar Council exam.

Bar Council moved the Appellate Division against the order but the plea was initially scrapped, prompting the council to seek a review. The top court later resolved the review petition and fined the universities.

Additional Attorney General Murad Reza told journalists that after the universities donate the money, the students can take part in the Bar Council exam by showing the donation receipts.