JUDGMENT

PATHAK, CJI. :— This writ petition under Article 32 of the Constitution has been filed by Baldev Raj Sharma against an order of the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana rejecting his application for enrolment as an advocate.

2. On 4 March, 1972 the petitioner passed the Bachelor of Arts examination from the Punjabi University, Patiala. In 1978 he joined the Bachelor of Laws (Academic) course in Kurukshetra University. The course is of two years duration. The petitioner completed the course and on 1 January, 1981 he was awarded the degree of Bachelor of Laws (Academic) by the Kurukshetra University. During the year 1981 the petitioner joined the LLB. (Professional) course in the third year in Kanpur University as a regular student. The Kanpur University confers two distinct degrees. LL.B. (General), which is a two year course, and LL.B. (Professional), which is a three year course. A person who has been awarded the LLB. (General) degree is eligible for admission to the LL B. (Professional) third year. The petitioner says that there is no distinction in the Rules and Regulations of the Kanpur University on whether LL.B. (General) course should be pursued by regular attendance or