JUDGEMENT
-
(1.) THIS is an application under Article 226 of the Constitution. The applicant Ramesh Chandra
chaube was admitted as a student of the 1st year Intermediate Class in the Bipin Behari
intermediate College, Jhansi, in July 1951. It is alleged that a week after his admission the
principal struck off his name from the class register and told him verbally that ho could not be
permitted to study in the college as he was a Communist. Later on the students of the college
threatened to go on strike and at that time the applicant gave an undertaking in writing to the
principal that he would not take part in any subversive activity whether inside or outside the
college. Upon this the petitioner was re-admitted into the class and he recontinued his studies in
the 1st year Class. He could not take the six-monthly examination on account of his illness; but
in the annual examination, it is said, he got pass marks in all the subjects. He was required to
appear in a supplementary examination to be held on 10-7-1952. On 2-7-1952, the petitioner's
father was informed by the Principal that he could not be re-admitted in the college during the
session 1952-53. No reasons for the order were stated in the letter of the Principal. It is
contended that all efforts to find out from the Principal the reasons for the action he had taken
were in vain. The Inspector of Schools was then approached. He looked into the matter and sent
the following answer to the petitioner's father: "i have made inquiries in that connection and have no reason to interfere with the Principal's
decision. He has a right to ask you to withdraw your ward from his institution without
communicating reasons which prompted him to come to that decision. " The petitioner states that his conduct during the last session in the college was good and in
support of this he produces a good conduct certificate, dated 6-6-1962, given to him by the
principal. It appears that in June last the petitioner wanted to take a part-time job and, therefore,
requested the Principal to grant him a character certificate. Thereupon this certificate was given
to him.
(2.) THE contention is that it is against all principles of natural justice that the Principal should
have refused to allow the petitioner to continue his studies in the 2nd year Intermediate Class
without assigning any reason for the action which he has taken against him. This application
under Article 226 of the Constitution has, therefore, been made with a prayer that a writ in the
nature of mandamus or any other suitable direction, order or writ be issued to the Principal of the
college to re-admit the petitioner.
(3.) NO fundamental right has been infringed in the present case. The question is whether, it was
necessary for the Principal to have held an inquiry and to have communicated to the petitioner
the reasons for the action which he has taken against him. Reading between the lines it seems to
us that the Principal came to the conclusion that in the interests of discipline among the students
of the college it was not desirable that he should continue in it. The Principal was approached by
one of the members of the Managing Committee and he informed him that he would explain to
him the reasons. The Inspector of Schools was approached and he too was satisfied that there
was no good reason to interfere with the Principal's decision. There is a tendency of indiscipline
in the student community and it would be subversive of discipline if this Court were to interfere
with the action taken by the heads of institutions in the interests of discipline. At all events, we
do not feel satisfied that we should exercise our discretion under Article 226 of the Constitution.;
Click here to view full judgement.
Copyright © Regent Computronics Pvt.Ltd.