N NAMEETHA Vs. PONDICHERRY UNIVERSITY

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE petitioners in this batch of writ petitions were students of the 4th respondent medical colleges at Puducherry. In the first batch of writ petitions, i.e. W.P.Nos.12986 to 12988 of 2012, the petitioners were seeking to challenge the order passed by the second respondent Controller of Examinations, Pondicherry University, dated 09.04.2012 and after setting aside the same, seek for a direction to the respondents 1 to 3 to allow the petitioners to write certain examinations conducted by the University by issuing applications, receiving the filled up applications and granting hall tickets and to allow them to complete the MBBS course. When these writ petitions came up for admission on 4.5.2012, the Standing Counsel for the University Mrs.A.V.Bharathi took notice.

(2.) THE second set of writ petitions, i.e., W.P.Nos.13768 to 13770 of 2012, were filed by the same petitioners challenging the ratification order passed by the Academic Council of the Pondicherry Univesrity, dated Nil and after setting aside the same, seek for a direction to write the theory examinations and also to attend the practical examinations so as to complete the MBBS course. When these writ petitions came up for hearing on 30.05.2012, notice of motion was ordered and they were directed to be heard along with the first set of writ petitions. Pending the writ petitions, no interim orders were granted though a prayer to that effect was made both for staying the impugned decision of the academic council as well as for a direction to write the examinations.

(3.) BY the impugned order, dated 09.04.2012, the fourth respondent College was informed that as per the Vice Chancellor's order dated 29.03.2012, the two additional sessions for writing the examination will be permitted only for students who have exhausted maximum period of nine years prescribed for completion of the course in December, 2011. It meant that students who belonged to 2002-2003 batch and who completed 9 years in December, 2011 will be eligible to write examination till December, 2012 on payment of penalty of Rs.500/- per paper, but students belonging to the batch prior to 2002-2003 will not be eligible for the concession shown by the University.