Madras High CourtWP/19018/2024disposed of

The Principal And Secretary v. The State Of Tamilnadu

2025-06-20Honourable Mr.Justice C.Kumarappan6 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 20.06.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN and W.M.P.No.20856 of 2024 The Principal & Secretary, Madras Christian College (Autonomous), Tambaram East, Chennai - 600 014.

... Petitioner Vs.

The State of Tamil Nadu, Department of Higher Education, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.

The Chancellor, Raj Bhavan, Sardar Patel Road, Guindy, Chennai - 600 006.

The Director of Collegiate Education, College Road, Chennai - 600 006.

The Joint Director of Collegiate Education, Chennai Region, Saidapet, Chennai - 600 015.

Rep. by its Registrar, Chepauk, Triplicane, Chennai - 600 005.

University Grants Commission, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi - 110 002.

The National Assessment and Accreditation Council, Rep. by its Director, No.1075, Nagarbhavi, Bangalore - 560 072.

... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, seeking for an issuance of writ of Mandamus, to direct the 7th respondent National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) to process forthwith petitioner's online application dated 25.05.2024 for accreditation without insisting on the consolidated affiliation certificate and the certificate acknowledging the research department from the 5th respondent University. For Petitioner : Mr.Isaac Mohanlal Senior Advocate for M/s.Isaac Chambers For Respondents : Mr.C.Jayaprakash Government Advocate for R1, R3 & R4 : Mr.D.Ravichander Standing Counsel for R2 & R5 : Mr.R.Veeramani for R7 : Mr.B.Rabu Manohar SCGC for R6

ORDER

The writ petition has been filed to direct the 7th respondent / National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) to process forthwith petitioner's online application dated 25.05.2024 for accreditation without insisting on the consolidated affiliation certificate and the certificate acknowledging the research department from the 5th respondent University. The case of the petitioner / college is that, they have submitted an application for NAAC Accreditation Certificate vide their application dated 20.05.2024. However, the 7th respondent has not considered and passed order.

Learned Senior Counsel for the petitioner college would submit that the petitioner being autonomous and reputed college with a history of 188 years, they need not submit any affiliation from the University. It is his further submission that, in view of UGC Regulations, whenever autonomous college applies for NAAC Accreditation, there is no necessity to get affiliation from the University. The factum of such position was not disputed by the learned Counsel for the 7th respondent.

In such view of the matter, the 7th respondent has to consider and pass order within a stipulated time without insisting for affiliation certificate. In the present case, though the application is pending for more than a year, the delay on the part of the 7th respondent is not appreaciable. Therefore, this Court deems it appropriate to direct the 7th respondent to consider the petitioner's application dated 25.05.2024, and pass orders, according to it's own merits and in accordance with law, but without insisting Affiliation Certificate from the Madras University, within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. In the result, the Writ Petition is disposed of with the above direction. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

20.06.2025 veda Index:Yes/No Speaking order/Non-speaking order

To 1.

The Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.