GURBAJ SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner was a candidate for admission to the Engineering Colleges in the State of Punjab. He appeared in the common entrance test. According to the learned counsel for the petitioner, he has been admitted to the B.E. (Production Engineering) Course. His grievance is that he is the ward of a Defence Personnel and was entitled to be considered against one of the seats reserved for that category. According to the petitioner, his case was not considered against one of the reserved seats only on the ground that the requisite certificate had been issued by the Additional District Magistrate and not the District Magistrate.

(2.) The petitioner has categorically alleged that his father is an ex-serviceman. He had served the Indian Army for a period of 26 years and retired as Subedar from the Army Education Corps. Furthermore, a certificate was duly issued by the Deputy Director, Sainik Welfare, Patiala. Since the Deputy Commissioner was not available, the certificate was endorsed by the Additional District Magistrate.

(3.) A written statement has been filed on behalf of respondents 2 and 3. The averments of the petitioner regarding the factual position have not been controverted. The only ground on which the petitioner's claim for consideration against one of the reserved seats was excluded is that the certificate was not signed by the District Magistrate.