V.S.B.Educational Trust v. University Grants Commission
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 28.03.2023
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI V.S.B.Educational Trust, No.204, Dharapuram Road, Kangayem Tiruppur District-638 701 Established and Administering, V.S.B.College of Engineering Technical Campus S.F.No.91/2A, 91/2B, 252,253/1, Solavampalayam Village Kinathukadavu, Pollachi Taluk.
Coimbatore District -642 109 Rep by its Founder Trustee and Chairman S.Balasamy.
.. Petitioner Vs.
1. University Grants Commission Represented by its Secretary, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi-110 002.
2. The Registrar, Sardar Patel Road, Chennai-600 025.
3. The Director, Centre for Academic Courses, Chennai-600 025. .. Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a Writ of Mandamus or any other Writ order or direction in the nature of the writ directing the 1st Respondent University Grants Commission to pass order on the application of the petitioner college for grant of Fresh Autonomous Status for the academic year 2023-2024 dated 11.02.2023 sent on 13.02.2023 received on 17.02.2023 independently as per UGC Regulation 2018.
For Petitioner : M/s.D.Prabhu Mukunth Arun Kumar, For R-1 : Mr. Rabu Manohar, Senior Central Government Standing Counsel RR-2 & 3 : Mr. V. Meenakshi Sundaram, Standing Counsel for Anna University
ORDER
This Writ Petition has been filed for a direction to the 1st respondent University Grants Commission to pass an order on the application dated 11.02.2023 made by the petitioner College seeking for grant of Fresh Autonomous Status to the petitioner college for the academic year 2023-2024.
2. Mr. Rabu Manohar, learned Senior Central Government Standing Counsel takes notice for the 1st Respondent, Mr. V. Meenakshi Sundaram learned Standing Counsel takes notice for respondents 2 & 3.
3. It is the case of the petitioner that the Petitioner College made an application dated 11.02.2023 to the 2nd respondent seeking for award of fresh Autonomous status to the petitioner college and a copy of the same was also marked to the 1st respondent. However, the said application was rejected by the 2nd respondent and certain guidelines have been issued for grant of fresh autonomous status contrary to the provisions of the UGC Act. Hence, this Writ Petition.
4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits thatany application made for grant of fresh autonomous status has to be forwarded to the 1st respondent/University Grants Commission in case of the rejection of the application, however, in the present case, the 2nd respondent has not forwarded the application to the 1st respondent. Though a copy of the application was sent to the 1st respondent, no action has been taken on the same. Hence, this Court may direct the 1st respondent to pass appropriate
orders on the application made by the petitioner college.
5. Learned Senior Central Government Standing Counsel appearing for the 1st respondent submits that the petitioner's application made for grant of fresh autonomous status will be considered and appropriate orders will be passed within a period of six weeks.
6. In view of the limited relief sought for by the petitioner, this Court without going into the merits of the case, directs the 1st respondent to consider and pass appropriate orders on the Application dated 11.02.2023 made by the petitioner college seeking award of fresh autonomous status in accordance with law within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
7. This Writ Petition stands disposed of with the above direction. There shall be no order as to costs. 28.03.2023 Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No NHS
To
1. The Secretary, University Grants Commission Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi-110 002.
2. The Registrar, Sardar Patel Road, Chennai-600 025.
3. The Director, Centre for Academic Courses, Chennai-600 025.
M.DHANDAPANI, J.
NHS 28.03.2023