Raju Kumar v. Sate Of Punjab And Another

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH Date of Decision : February 09, 2026 RAJU KUMAR -PETITIONER V/S STATE OF PUNJAB AND ANOTHER -RESPONDENTS

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE KULDEEP TIWARI

Present:

Dr. Anand Kumar Bishnoi, Advocate (Legal Aid Counsel) for the petitioner.

Mr. Sahil R. Bakshi, A.A.G., Punjab.

Mr. Nilesh Kant Goyal, Advocate, for Mr. A.S. Virk, Advocate for the respondent No.2.

*** KULDEEP TIWARI, J. (ORAL) 1.

Through the instant writ petition, the petitioner seeks quashing of the order dated 07.08.2025, whereby his request for scholarship was denied. The petitioner also seeks a direction to the respondent No.2 to release his degree/DMC and other academic documents. 2.

On the previous date of hearing, i.e. 13.01.2026, this Court passed the following order:- "Through the instant writ petition, as cast under Articles 226/227 of the Constitution of India, challenge is thrown to the order dated 07.08.2025 (Annexure P-1), vide which, the request of the petitioner for grant of scholarship has been denied. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the Department of Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, Government of Punjab, has held the respondent-Institute responsible for causing delay in uploading the name of the petitioner on the portal. Likewise, the Institute is passing the buck

upon the Department. He further submits that in any case, entitlement of the petitioner as regards the scholarship has not been disputed. However, till date, petitioner has not granted concession for the academic session 2023-24, though the concession was extended for the academic session 2024-25. Further, even the degree of the petitioner has been withheld on account of nonpayment of fee by respondent No.1. Notice of motion.

Mr. Sahil R. Bakshi, AAG, Punjab, accepts notice on behalf of respondent no.1, and waives service.

At this stage, on an advance notice, Mr. Amarjit Singh Virk, Advocate, has caused appearance and accepts notice on behalf of respondent no.2, and waives service.

They seek time to file a response to the instant petition. Adjourned to 09.02.2026.

Reply(ies), if any, be filed, on or before the next date of hearing, with a copy in advance to learned counsel opposite. To be shown in the urgent list.

It is made clear that no further request for an adjournment shall be entertained on the next date of hearing, on behalf of either of the parties."

3.

In compliance with the hereinabove extracted order, learned counsel for the respondent No.2 filed a short reply dated 31.01.2026, on the affidavit of Mr. Gyana Ranjan Samantaray, Registrar In-charge, National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra. The reply reveals that the petitioner is required to deposit scholarship amounts of ₹1,00,600/- and ₹94,600/-, along with other effective dues (Institute + Hostel) amounting to ₹85,764/-, after adjustment of the scholarship amounts. Accordingly, the petitioner's liability stands at ₹85,764/- after adjusting the scholarship amounts. The relevant extracts from the reply are as follows: "3. That besides these scholarship amounts of Rs. 1,00,600/- and Rs. 94,600/-, the petitioner has to deposit the Effective Dues

(Institute + Hostel) of Rs. 85,764/- to the Institute after adjustment of these Scholarship Amounts. As per Clause 4.4 (b) of the Academic Regulations & Scheme of the Institute, a student has to pay all fees due against him to become eligible for the award of degree. Once the petitioner deposits this due amount, the Institute will provide the DMC/Degree to the petitioner. A copy of such regulations is attached as an Annexure-R/2.

4. That the Department of Social Justice, Empowerment & Minorities, Punjab vide its Speaking Order dated 07.08.2025, held the Institute responsible for non-grant of scholarship to the petitioner, but as explained in preceding paras, it was the technical problem on the portal due to which the Institute was unable to add the Institute Accounts Details on the portal. And as of now, the Petitioner has been provided the relaxation with the same amount as that of Scholarship amount for the AY 2023-24. But the rest of the dues have to be paid by the Petitioner for the grant of DMC/Degree."

4.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner shall deposit ₹85,764/- with the respondent No.2 within one month from today.

5.

In view of the above, the instant writ petition is disposed of with the following directions:

a) Upon deposit of ₹85,764/- by the petitioner within one month, the respondent No.2 shall forthwith release degree/DMCs, and other relevant educational certificates of the petitioner.

b) The petitioner is at liberty, in case of any grievance regarding the calculation of ₹85,764/-, to submit a representation to the respondent No.2, who shall consider and decide the same by passing a speaking order. (KULDEEP TIWARI) February 09, 2026 JUDGE devinder Whether speaking/reasoned :

Yes/No Whether Reportable :

Yes/No