HC verdict on GLC admissions on Monday

Updated on: Saturday, July 30, 2011

The fate of those hoping to secure admission to the five-year integrated course at the Government Law College (GLC) will be decided on Monday when the Bombay high court pronounces its judgment.

The Bombay high court is hearing petitions filed in support of and against the reworking of admissions. A student, Swati Khinvasara, had moved the court challenging the deduction of 5% marks of non-state board students. When the court learnt that admissions of 207 students were processed according to faculty-wise reservations contrary to the Mumbai university ordinance, the GLC undertook to rework the merit list.

On Friday, a division bench of Justice A M Khanwilkar and Justice R Y Ganoo was informed that reworking the merit list would affect students of Maharashtra board more than outsiders. Additional government pleader M D Naik, who also appeared for GLC, submitted to the court a list of students who would be affected if the faculty-wise reservation is not applied and those who would benefit or be affected if 5% marks are not deducted. He argued that the admissions have been done according to the notified schedule and "should not be disturbed".

Advocate Rohini Khandekar, appearing for some of the students who have already secured admission to the GLC, argued that there is a contractual obligation between the college and the students and their admission should not be disturbed. Pointing out that the 5% deduction policy was implemented to accommodate students of Maharashtra board, Khandekar said, "Sixty per cent students admitted to the college are from other states. Reworking the merit list will affect students of Maharashtra board."

She also submitted that the college has been following the faculty-wise reservation policy since 1996. "There was nothing secret about it. It was put up on the website and also reflects in the prospectus," she added.

Appearing for another set of students, counsel S U Kamdar said that the GLC's local advisory committee had approved the proposal to deduct 5% marks of students from boards outside the state. Mumbai university's advocate Rui Rodrigues submitted that the state government's reservation policy with respect to admission to affiliated colleges, including law colleges, was adopted by the university and has been applicable since 1995.

Khinvasara's advocate Mukesh Vashi, however, countered that illegal admissions cannot be regularized.

Most students are hoping the order will be in their favour. "Lectures have already begun and we are hoping that the court will not disturb the process this year," said one of the parents.

Times of India

HC verdict on GLC admissions on Monday

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