- (1.) An unfortunate incident took place on 13.9.1996 in which one Srinivas Reddy (since deceased) threw acid on Anuradha, respondent No. 2 herein, who was a final year B. Sc. (Agriculture) student, causing extensive burn injuries to her. The students of the University sent a letter/petition to the High Court of Andhra pradesh, which was treated as Public Interest Petition and numbered as writ petition (W. P. No. 19820 of 1996).
(2.) State of Andhra Pradesh has filed this appeal by grant of special leave against the impugned judgment of the High Court in W. P. No. 19820 of 1996 wherein the high Court apart from giving the following four directions, ordered payment of rs. 5,00,000. 00 as compensation to the victim anuradha. " (1) The State of Andhra Pradesh shall provide to the petitioner No. 2, Anuradha, full and complete treatment for burn injuries suffered by her, including surgery and plastic surgery for repair of the damages, in particular, including all costs and expenses on treatment, hospitalisation and transport, etc. In course of the treatment and for all the above, give exclusive expert treatment in the government hospitals as well as in other hospitals where best treatment for the wounds suffered by her is available. The State shall meet all expenses of her lodging and feeding in hospitals and/or nursing homes and/or any other place where she is permitted to stay by the attending physicians/surgeons. (2) The University shall permit the petitioner No. 2 to appear in the examinations without her complying with the necessary conditions of attendance of classes, etc. and make such arrangements for her writing the examinations which attending physicians/surgeons would recommend. On her completing the studies, if any further she would desire to study, the University would admit her to the course/courses of study of her choice without insisting for any entrance examination and/or fulfilment of the merit for the purpose of selection, etc. In case, on the basis of her qualifications already acquired, she decides to go for a job or service and befitting her qualifications there is any job in the university, the University shall give to her the job and shall, for the said purpose, relax all conditions of recruitment. (3) The State Government shall appoint a Special Prosecutor and entrust the case to him for prosecuting N. Srinivas reddy and ensure that Anuradha and other witnesses are provided full protection and are given necessary batta, etc. , on time as and when they are required to depose in the case. (4) The University shall issue necessary notification/order with respect to the appointment of a retired Judge of the high Court duly nominated by the Chief justice for inquiry into the allegations against the Principal, respondent No. 2 and other persons who have allegedly indulged in misconduct as per the statements in the report of Mrs. Annapurana devi, Advocate. Inquiry in this behalf shall be completed within a period of 2 months. "
(3.) The High Court, keeping in view the facts and circumstances of the case, gave the aforesaid directions on humanitarian grounds. We are not inclined to interfere with the directions given by the High Court in exercise of its extraordinary jurisdiction on compassionate grounds, except to the extent indicated hereinafter.;