Mr.D.Hari Krishnan v. Indian Institute Of Technology (Madras)

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 03.08.2021 CORAM :

THE HON'BLE MR.SANJIB BANERJEE, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE P.D.AUDIKESAVALU W.P.No.4214 of 2021 and W.M.P.No.4813 of 2021 D.Hari Krishnan .. Petitioner Vs.

Indian Institute of Technology (Madras), Rep by its Director, Sardar Vallabai Patel Road, Guindy, Chennai- 600 036.

.. Respondents Prayer: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records of the Respondent in Proceedings No F.RL5/RT1/ AND Legal/02- 2020/91 Dated 3.12.2020 AND Quash the same and direct the Respondent to open the Krishna Gate Located in South Western Side of the IIT (Madras) Campus (Velacherry side) immediately and make it accessible for the students, staffs, employees, retired persons and other persons residing at locality close to Krishna Gate.

For Petitioner :

G.Vijayanand Associates Mr.S.Kumar For Respondent :

Mr.Karthik Rajan for M/s.Menon, Karthik Mukundan Neelakantan * * * * *

ORDER

(Made by the Hon'ble Chief Justice) The matter pertains to a gate at the IIT campus on the Velachery side and the petitioner desires that it be opened to provide access to the petitioner whenever the petitioner desires.

2. The challenge, in effect, is to an order dated December 3, 2020. The Director of the Indian Institute of Technology has given detailed reasons which justify the closing of such gate. https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/

3. The petitioner says that there are schools and other places which the nearby residents should have access to and the closure of the Krishna Gate has caused great inconvenience to the students and others.

4. At the end of the day, it is for the IIT to decide as to what is in the best interest of such institution, its students, teachers and others concerned. It is true that when there is a huge campus as the IIT, certain private roads within the campus are used as access roads and such roads are convenient to use for local residents. However, the interest of the institution cannot be compromised on the ground that it may otherwise be inconvenient to the local residents or the like.

5. In view of the good grounds given while considering the petitioner's representation, the decision to close the Krishna Gate does not call for any interference whether in public interest or otherwise.

W.P.No.4214 of 2021 is dismissed without any order as to costs. Consequently, W.M.P.No.4813 of 2021 is closed. Sd/- Assistant Registrar(CS-VII) //True Copy// Sub Assistant Registrar sra To:

The Director, Indian Institute of Technology (Madras), Sardar Vallabai Patel Road, Guindy, Chennai- 600 036.

+1cc to Mr.Menon Karthik, Advocate, S.R.No.38219 W.P.No.4214 of 2021 VSN II(CO) CB(06/08/2021) https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/