VINEET SINGLA Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner in this petition under Articles 226/227 of the Constitution of India prays for issuance of an appropriate writ, order or direction for quashing the policy of the Government, dated 10/12/1997, Annexure P-8A to the petition, which regulates admission of the candidates to the Bachelor of Engineering Technology/ Architecture under the sports category in the State of Punjab. The challenge is founded on the contention that it offends Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution of India as it does not include the game of Softball for which the Sports Gradation Certificate ought to be issued by the Government for the purpose of admission.

(2.) The necessary facts are that the petitioner passed his 10+2 (Non-medical) examination from Khalsa College, Patiala and appeared in the Common Entrance Test for admission to Bachelor of Engineering Programme conducted by the Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar (hereinafter referred to as the "University") for various Colleges/Institutions throughout Punjab for the year 2001-2002. The University held examination in furtherance to the Notification issued by the State of Punjab in April, 2001. The result of this Entrance Test was declared in June, 2001. The petitioner ranked at 2000 in the merit declared by the University. The petitioner claimed to have applied under the Sports Quota, for which 2% seats were reversed. The petitioner particularly applied for admission to Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala as well as in other Colleges. The petitioner claims that he had paricipated in 45th National School Games 1999-2000, held by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir in the game of Softball. He also participated in the Inter College University Softball Tournament held at Panjabi University, Patiala in the year 2001. Vide Annexure P-7, the petitioner had applied for issuance of Sports Gradation Certificate in the game of Softball to the District Sports Officer, Rink Hall, Baradari Garden, Patiala.

(3.) Upon notice, separate written statements were filed on behalf of the Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology through its Registrar and the State of Punjab.