TRICHY ENGINEERING COLLEGE Vs. ANNA UNIVERSITY

JUDGEMENT

(1.) IN all these writ appeals, the interim orders passed by the learned single judge in the respective writ petitions are questioned. The basic issue which requires to be examined in the main writ petitions and the interim orders passed thereon being one and the same, learned counsel for the parties have consented for the disposal of the main writ petitions.

(2.) IN view of the nature of the issue involved and the manner of disposal of these writ petitions it would be unnecessary to state in detail the pleadings in each writ petition. The writ petitions are by various Technical/ Engineering colleges approved by A.I.C.T.E. and presently affiliated to Anna University. Most of the petitioner colleges were affiliated to the respective Universities vis -a -vis the area in which the colleges are situated. For instance, the petitioner in W.P.No.19203 of 2004/Trichy Engineering College, was affiliated to Bharathidasan University. Though the respondent/Anna University was established in the year 1978 itself by virtue of Anna University Act, 1978 (hereinafter called 'the Act') with the object of establishing a University of Technology in the State of Tamil Nadu, the colleges in different areas in Tamil Nadu continued to be affiliated only to the respective universities which were established for different and specific areas/districts in the State.

(3.) IT is not in dispute that all the petitioner colleges have the approval of A.I.C.T.E. to conduct the specific courses with the permitted strength of student intake. While so, the respondent -University after conducting inspection, issued, notice directing the colleges to rectify the deficiencies pointed out thereunder. According to the University, after the lapse of the time stipulated for rectification of the defects, inspection was conducted again by another Inspection Committee. Not being satisfied with the rectification of the defects, the University called upon the respective colleges to show cause against further action failing which, the University would take action to suspend the affiliation and to stop admission for the specific courses for the Academic Year 2004 -2005. The colleges had sent in their reply/explanation to the show -cause notice. However, not being satisfied with the explanation, the Standing Committee on Affiliation recommended disaffiliation of the courses with reference to which the Standing Committee found that the deficiencies had not been rectified. The Syndicate, in their subsequent meeting, considered and approved the recommendations of the Standing Committee and thus ordered suspension of affiliation of specific course or courses and the admission to the said courses was also stopped for the Academic Year 2004 -2005. The University communicated the said orders to the respective colleges and also informed the colleges that the Management may apply for affiliation of the courses concerned for the Academic Year 2005 -2006 after rectifying the deficiencies and fulfilling all the requirements for affiliation. In these writ petitions, those orders are challenged.