M JEEVAN LAL Vs. UNIVERSITY OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This writ petition is filed by the petitioner, who is the Principal of an unaided College, seeking to set aside the conditions stipulated in Ext.P1 to the extent "the details of Principals, whose appointment have been approved by the University as on 14.09.2017 alone need be forwarded for inclusion in the electoral roll", and for other consequential reliefs. Material facts for the disposal of the writ petition are as follows:

(2.) Petitioner is the Principal of Dr. Palpu College of Arts and Science, Kollam. As of now, petitioner is an elected member of the Syndicate of the University, elected from the constituency of Principals to the Senate of the University. The term is to expire on 16.05.2018. Therefore, elections from various constituencies to constitute the Senate are to be completed before the said date. In terms of Sec.17(1) of the Kerala University Act, seven Principals are to be elected to the Senate from among themselves, of whom, two shall be from among Principals of Government colleges, one from among Principals of Professional Colleges and one from among Principals of Junior Colleges. Since junior colleges are no more in existence, the representative from among them is not elected.

(3.) As of now, there are 19 Government colleges, 44 aided colleges and 112 unaided colleges, which are affiliated to the respondent University. In terms of Sec.2(15) of the Kerala University Act, the Principal is defined as head of a college. The Kerala University has framed the First Statutes in relation to conduct of elections to various bodies in the year 1974. Statute 17 prescribes the preparation of Electoral rolls, which read thus: