Judgment

B.P. Jeevan Reddy, J.-The rule governing admission to LL.B. course among other courses prescribed by the Punjab University provided that while admission shall be made on the basis of merit, ten percent of the marks obtained in the qualifying examination shall be added in the case of candidates who have passed the qualifying examination from the Punjab University. The impugned rule reads:

"(iv) Admission shall be made on merit which shall be determined after giving weightage as under :

(a) 10% marks obtained in the aggregate marks of the qualifying examination passed from Punjab University."

2. A number of writ petitions were filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court by students, who have passed the qualifying examination from universities other than Punjab University, questioning the validity of the said weightage rule. According to them, the rule violates the equality clause enshrined in Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution and ought to be struck down. The writ petitions have been dismissed by the High Court. Only one of the writ petitioners has approached this Court by way of this Special Leave Petition.

3. Leave granted. Heard the counsel for the appellant and the Punjab