JOLLY A V Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner in O. P. 3782 of 1973 is an employee of the Federal Bank Limited at Ernakulam and the petitioner in the other petition is an employee of the Tata Oil Mills, Tatapuram, Cochin-14. Both of them sought admission to the part time LLB. Course in the Government Law College, Ernakulam. Their applications have not been considered because, according to the respondents, the admission to the part time LLB. Course during the current year is regulated by Ext. R1 rules framed by the Government in G. O. MS. 149/73/Higher Education dated 19-9-1973, which rules restrict admission to the course to regular employees in the Central and State Government Departments, quasi Governmental bodies including public Corporations and Government owned companies. Having not been called for interview, they came to this Court on 8th November, 1973 at which time the interview for selection of the candidates had not yet been held.

(2.) Of late, there has been a large rush of candidates for admission to the Law Colleges in the State. The number of seats in these Colleges are limited. In the year 1966, part time courses with classes held in the mornings and evenings were started in the Government Law Colleges. This was intended for employed persons. Prior to the commencement of the current academic year instructions in force regarding the admission to part time degree courses in Law in the Government Colleges of the State enabled admission to be obtained by employees of private institutions also. G. O. M. S. 314/66 Edn. dated 8-7-1966 provided that: --

(3.) The only ground of attack against the order of the Government reserving all the seats in the part time course to the employees envisages in R.2 is that it is a blatant infringement of the right to equality guaranteed in the Constitution of India. It is said that the conduct of the respondents in denying the petitioners the right to have their applications considered violates Art.14 of the Constitution.