Rohini College Of Engineering v. Anna University
2024:MHC:5922
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 19.01.2024 CORAM :
THE HONOURABLE DR.JUSTICE ANITA SUMANTH Rohini College of Engineering and Technology Rep. by its Principal, Kanyakumari Main Road, Palkulam, Variyoor Post 629401 Kanyakumari District .. Petitioner vs 1.Anna University Rep. by its Registrar, Chennai - 600 025.
2.University Grants Commission, Rep. by its Secretary, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi - 110 002.
.. Respondents Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a writ of mandamus directing 1st respondent Anna University to notify the autonomous status conferred to the petitioner college by the 2nd respondent in order No. F.2-10/2023(AC-Policy) dated 13.11.2023 as per Regulation 4.2 of the University Grants Commission (Conferment of Autonomous Status Upon Colleges and Measures for Maintenance of Standards in Autonomous Colleges) Regulations, 2023 in line with the orders of this Hon'ble Court in 1/4
W.P.No.29486 of 2019 as confirmed in W.A.No.51 of 2020 and S.L.P.(C) Nos. 8324 - 8325 of 2020 and notify the autonomous status. For Petitioner :
Mr.Kandhan Duraisamy For Respondents :
Mr.Avinash Wadhwani for R1 Mr.B.Rabu Manohar, Senior Panel Counsel for R2
ORDER
The petitioner is a private self-financing Engineering college affiliated to Anna University, arrayed as R1. Mr.Avinash Wadhwani, learned counsel accepts notice for R1 and Mr.B.Rabu Manohar, learned Senior Panel Counsel accepts notice for R2/University Grants Commission (UGC) .
2. The prayer of the petitioner is for a mandamus directing R1 to notify the autonomous status offered to it by R2 vide order dated 13.11.2023.
3. The prayer of the petitioner is rather wide insofar as a positive direction is sought for, which this Court does not believe is appropriate. Rather it would be for R1 to consider the request of the petitioner, in accordance with law. In fact, the petitioner has itself made a representation to R1 on 15.11.2023 for grant of autonomous status, which is pending disposal.
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4. Learned counsel for the petitioner further draws attention to letter dated 10.01.2024 issued by R2 to the Vice Chancellors of all Universities wherein the Universities have been requested to implement all prevailing Regulations including the UGC (Conferment of Autonomous Status upon Colleges and Measures for Maintenance of Standards in Autonomous Colleges) Regulations, 2023 in letter and spirit.
5. In light of the narrow compass within which the relief sought for falls, learned counsel for the respondents has no objection for disposal of this Writ petition even at the stage of admission. Hence, by the consent of both the parties, this writ petition is disposed by way of the present order.
6. Mandamus is issued to R1 to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 15.11.2023 for grant of autonomous status, in accordance with law and in line with all prevailing Regulations, within a period of three (3) weeks from date of receipt of a copy of this order, after hearing the petitioner. No costs.
19.01.2024 Index:Yes/No Speaking order mpl 3/4
DR. ANITA SUMANTH,J.
mpl To 1.The Registrar, Anna University Chennai - 600 025.
2.The Secretary, University Grants Commission, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi - 110 002.
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