Ashneet Grewal v. Union Of India And ORS

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT

CHANDIGARH CWP-24536-2021 (O&M) Date of decision:- 03.12.2021 Ashneet Grewal

...Petitioner(s)

Versus

Union of India and others

...Respondent(s)

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RAVI SHANKER JHA, CHIEF JUSTICE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ARUN PALLI

Present:

Mr. Ankur Mittal, Advocate, Mr. Lalit Singla, Advocate, Ms. Khushaldeep Kaur Manchanda, Advocate, for the petitioner.

Mr. Arun Gosain, Senior Government Counsel, for respondent No. 1 - UOI.

Mr. Avinit Avasthi, Assistant Advocate General, Punjab, for respondent No. 5.

(The aforesaid presence is being recorded through video conferencing since the proceedings are being conducted in virtual Court) * * * * RAVI SHANKER JHA, C.J. (ORAL) The petitioner has filed this petition alleging that she falls within the reserved category of ancestral residents of village Sidhuwal, District Patiala and is, therefore, entitled to admission in B.A.LLB (Hon's) course for the session 2021-2022 under the said category in respondent No. 3 - Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner has pointed out that the respondent-authorities themselves issued a letter on 02.09.2021 (Annexure P-14) for verification/authentication of documents filed by the candidates claiming admission under the said category including that of the petitioner.

He, however, submits that inspite of the petitioner's best efforts, she has not been informed about the status of the said verification and that she has given up and withdrawn her admission that she obtained in O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonepat, Haryana and Christ University, Bangalore, Karnataka and thereafter approached the respondent No. 3 - University for admission on issuance of a message/letter dated 10.08.2021 (Annexure P-7) to her and also deposited the fee pursuant thereto. Therefore, the denial of admission, at this stage, to the petitioner without verifying the authenticity of the documents of the candidates would seriously prejudice her. He further submits that AMODH SHARMA 2021.12.

CWP-24536-2021 (O&M) respondent No. 6, namely, Parth Gupta, who was higher in merit to the petitioner, does not fall within the said category, while respondent No. 7, namely, Dilpreet Kaur, is lower in merit to her and, therefore, the petitioner is entitled for admission, but no steps are being taken by the respondent No. 3 - University. He, however, concedes that the status of further steps taken by the respondent No. 3 - University pursuant to the letter dated 02.09.2021 (Annexure P-14) for verification and authentication of the documents of all the three candidates is not before this Court and the result thereof is not known.

When confronted with the aforesaid aspect, learned counsel for the petitioner submits that she would file a detailed/comprehensive representation before the respondent No. 3 - University within two days which may be directed to be considered and decided by them taking all the above aspects into consideration.

In view of the aforesaid limited prayer made by learned counsel for the petitioner, the writ petition stands disposed of with a direction to the respondent No. 3 - University to take a decision on the representation, if filed, as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a week. (RAVI SHANKER JHA) CHIEF JUSTICE (ARUN PALLI) JUDGE 03.12.2021 Amodh Whether speaking/reasoned Yes/No Whether reportable Yes/No AMODH SHARMA 2021.12.06 11:03 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document