Arulkumar v. The Government Of Tamilnadu
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 28.08.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN Writ Petition No.31237 of 2025 Arulkumar ... Petitioner ..Vs..
1.The Government of Tamil Nadu, Rep. by its Secretary to Government, Department of Higher Education, 9th Floor, EVK Sampath Buildings, College Rod, Chennai - 600 006.
2.The Commissioner, Directorate of Technical Education, Guindy, Chennai - 600 025.
3.The Vice Chancellor, Anna University, Guindy, Chennai - 600 025.
4.The Director, Centre for Student Affairs, Anna University, Guindy, Chennai - 600 025.
5.The District Collector, O/o District Collectorate, Salem District.
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6.The Principal, J.K.K.Nattraja College of Engineering & Technology, Natrajapuram, NH-544, Kumarapalayam (TK), Namakkal - 638 183.
... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying to issue a writ of Mandamus to direct the respondents herein to return the petitioner's Original Certificates held by the 6th respondent based on his representation dated 12.12.2023 within a reasonable time. For Petitioner :
M/s.B.N.Sinega For Respondents : Mr.D.Ravichandran Special Government Pleader for RR1 & 2 No appearance for RR3 & 4 Mr.K.Tippu Sultan, Government Advocate for R5 Mr.N.Manoharan For R6
ORDER
The present writ petition has been filed with a prayer for Mandamus directing the respondents to return the petitioner's Original Certificates held by the 6th , based on his representation dated 12.12.2023, within a stipulated time.
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2. The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner has submitted all his Original Certificates before the sixth respondent, at the time of admission to the MBA course for the academic year 2021-2023. It is the further submission of the learned counsel for the petitioner that due to family circumstances, the petitioner was not in a position to pursue his education and, in December 2023, requested the respondents to return his original certificates. However, the respondents instead of returning them, demanded a sum of Rs.17,000/- which, according to the petitioner, is contrary to the UGC guidelines.
3. The said contention was strongly objected by the learned counsel for the sixth respondent, and submitted that, even vide letter dated 30.04.2024, they had informed the Deputy Director, All India Council for Technical Education, New Delhi, that they would return the petitioner's original certificates. However, it was further submitted that certain fees remain outstanding.
4. Though the learned counsel for the sixth respondent made the above submission, he fairly submitted that the certificates cannot be treated as a lien 3/6
for the fees due, and they have no objection in returning the original certificates to the petitioner. However, he sought liberty to initiate appropriate proceedings against the petitioner for recovery of the outstanding fees.
5. In view of the above fair submission made by the learned counsel for the sixth respondent, this Court without going into the merits of the writ petition, deems it appropriate to direct the sixth respondent to return the petitioner's original certificate within a period of two (2) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, on getting proper acknowledgment from the petitioner. However, it is made clear, that, the sixth respondent is at liberty to proceed against the petitioner, in accordance with law, for recovery of any outstanding fees or discontinuation charges.
6. With the above observations, the present writ petition stands disposed of. No costs.
28.08.2025 ssi Index : Yes Speaking Order : Yes/No 4/6
To:
1.The Secretary to Government, Government of Tamil Nadu, Department of Higher Education, 9th Floor, EVK Sampath Buildings, College Rod, Chennai - 600 006.
2.The Commissioner, Directorate of Technical Education, Guindy, Chennai - 600 025.
3.The Vice Chancellor, Anna University, Guindy, Chennai - 600 025.
4.The Director, Centre for Student Affairs, Anna University, Guindy, Chennai - 600 025.
5.The District Collector, O/o District Collectorate, Salem District.
6.The Principal, J.K.K.Nattraja College of Engineering & Technology, Natrajapuram, NH-544, Kumarapalayam (TK), Namakkal - 638 183.
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C.KUMARAPPAN, J.
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