GEORGE VARGHESE JOHN Vs. MAHATMA GANDHI UNIVERSITY

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE petitioner is a student, who has been pursuing studies in the 2nd respondent college for the last three years on the strength of orders issued by this Court in the above Writ Petition. The petitioner has been admitted to the B.Tech Mechanical Engineering course, conducted by the 2nd respondent, in the Non -Resident Indian Quota under a self -financing scheme, which does not mandate the petitioner to appear for an Entrance Examination and get alloted on merit, to a particular Engineering College. The petitioner was admitted by the Management of the 2nd respondent college, in the B.Tech course, commencing in the academic year 2011 -2012. The 2nd respondent college is affiliated to the respondent University.

(2.) THE petitioner admittedly has completed his school education from United States of America (U.S.A); which he claims is equivalent to the Higher Secondary qualification in India. On seeking eligibility, the same was declined by Ext.P8, which was initially challenged. The subsequent decision of the Academic Council, Ext.P16 has been challenged in the above Writ Petition by way of an amendment.

(3.) THE petitioner admittedly completed his 9th standard from a school within the District of Ernakulam and then pursued his studies at one Hebron High School, Texas. Going by Ext.P6 certificate, the petitioner completed three academic years, 2008 -2009, 2009 -2010 and 2010 -2011, in USA, which according to him is recognized as equivalent to the Higher Secondary Examinations conducted by the C.B.S.E, I.C.S.E, V.H.S.E or the State Board. The petitioner also relies on Ext.P7 certificate issued by the Cochin University of Science and Technology, Exts.P11 and P12 issued by the respondent University, Ext.P13 issued by the University of Kerala and Ext.P14 issued by the University of Calicut, to contend that, the petitioners qualification obtained from the Hebron High School is equivalent to the Higher Secondary qualification granted by the Boards mentioned above, within the State of Kerala.