SAGAR DAMODAR SARDA Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) I. A. No. 87113/2019 in W.P.(C) No. 596 of 2019: So far as the main prayer in the said interlocutory application to continue the E.W.S. quota for this academic year is concerned the same cannot be granted in view of the earlier order passed by this Court on 30th May, 2019 and subsequently on 31st May, 2019.

(2.) The main grievance in the present writ petition is noncompliance with the Orders passed by this Court on dated 30th May, 2019 and 31st May, 2019 in its true letter and spirit. The grievance urged by the petitioners is that though the CET Cell and the State have submitted that reshuffling of the seats by converting the E.W.S. quota to the general category has been conducted, no counselling has taken place. The petitioners submit that the 1st and 2nd round of counselling were cancelled vide Notice dated 9th May, 2019. However, thereafter there was no counseling conducted. It is mandatory under the Regulations to conduct even a mop up round of counselling. It is submitted that as a consequence, several meritorious students have got left out.

(3.) The aforesaid submission is vehemently opposed by Mr. Shekhar Jagtap, learned counsel appearing for the CET Cell, and Mr. Nishant R. Katneshwarkar, learned counsel appearing for the State of Maharashtra. It was submitted that reshuffling had been done in consonance with the Order dated 31st May, 2019. It was further submitted that the petitioners were offered admission as per the preferences indicated but did not opt to take admission. That on reshuffling, one of the petitioners has been upgraded.