Directorate Of Higher And Technical Education v. N Thiripurasundhari

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 10.04.2026 CORAM :

THE HONOURABLE MR. SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN & C.M.P.No.9341 of 2026

1. Directorate of Higher and Technical Education Centralised Admission Committee (CENTAC) Government of Puducherry Kamarajar Manimandapam near Sivaji Statue, Karuvadikuppam Puducherry 605 008.

2. Dr Ambedkar Law College (AGCL) Mathur Road Kalapet, Pondicherry 605 014.

Appellant(s) Vs

1. N Thiripurasundhari D/o.Narayanasamy Drowpathiamman Koil Street Katterikuppam Pondicherry- 605 502.

2. SMVEC - Centre of Legal Education Manndipet Commune Madagadipet Pondicherry - 605 107.

3. The Pondicherry University Represented by its Registrar Kalapet, Pondicherry - 605014.

4. The Bar Council of India Rep. by its Chairman New Delhi.

Respondent(s) Prayer : Appeal filed under Clause 15 of the Letters Patent seeking to set aside the order of the learned Single Judge dated 22.01.2026 in WP.No.50049 of 2025.

For Appellant(s):

Mr.J.Kumaran Addl. Government Pleader For Respondent(s): Mr.J.Ravindran Senior Counsel For Mrs.A.N.Meenakshi for R1 Mr.M.Ravi for R3

JUDGMENT

(Judgment of the Court was delivered by the Hon'ble Chief Justice) This appeal under Clause 15 of the Letters Patent assails the order of the learned Single Judge dated 22.01.2026 passed in W.P.No.50049 of 2025 filed by first respondent herein.

2. While disposing of the writ petition, learned Single Judge has passed the following order:

"8. In view thereof, this writ petition is disposed of on the following terms:

(i) The first respondent, CENTAC, shall take up the case of the petitioner and allot her for admission either in the second respondent college or in the third respondent college, as the case may be.

(ii) The said exercise shall be completed within a period of one week from the date of receipt of the web copy of this order, without waiting for the certified copy.

(iii) Upon allotment, the petitioner shall report before the appropriate college and if the Bar Council of India reopens the admission portal, the particulars of the petitioner shall be uploaded and she shall be admitted into the course and continue the same.

(iv) Once the petitioner continues the course, the college concerned shall provide additional special classes apart from regular college hours, as may be convenient to the lecturers and make her to complete all assignments in respect of the firstsemester subjects and internal assessments, so as to make her eligible to write the examinations. Thereafter, she can apply for the arrear examinations and write the same. If the Bar Council of India adheres to its deadline and does not reopen the portal, then the petition will stand dismissed, leaving it open to the petitioner to apply afresh in the next academic year.

(v) In order to avoid such situations in future, the first respondent/CENTAC shall ensure that not only medical seats, which are valuable national resources, but even the law seats are filled by conducting mop-up counselling and calling eligible

students even at the last minute, so that all seats are duly filled. (vi) No costs"

3. Learned counsel for the Bar Council of India submits that the Bar Council of India is ready to re-open the portal allowing first respondent to get admitted in the College.

4. It is the case of appellants that there are other meritorious candidates and, therefore, they will have the first right to get admitted in the College instead of first respondent.

5. We find that other meritorious candidates are not before us and have also not challenged any of the orders passed by this Court. On perusal of the order passed by the learned Single Judge, we do not find any error apparent on the face of the record. Therefore, we are not inclined to entertain the writ appeal which is without any merit and substance.

6. Learned counsel for appellants submits that Contempt

Petition No.587 of 2026 is listed today before the learned Single Judge and requested for a week's time to comply with the order by granting admission to first respondent.

7. In view of the above submission of learned counsel for appellants, learned counsel for first respondent undertakes not to precipitate the contempt petition for a period of one week.

8. We request the learned Single Judge to adjourn the contempt petition for a week for implementation of the order dated 22.01.2026.

9. The writ appeal is dismissed with the above observation. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, the interim application is also dismissed.

(SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI,CJ) (G.ARUL MURUGAN,J) 10.04.2026 Index :

Yes/No Yes/No kpl

To

1. The Registrar Pondicherry University Kalapet Pondicherry - 605014.

2. The Chairman Bar Council of India New Delhi.

THE HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE AND G.ARUL MURUGAN,J.

(kpl) 10.04.2026