Judgment

P.JAGANMOHAN REDDY, J. - These two Writ Petitions under Article 32 challenge the vires and constitutionality of Sections 4 (2) and 5 of the Punjabi University Act 35 of 1961 as amended (hereinafter called "the University" or "the Act", as the case may be). It is also prayed that (i) the Notification of the Punjab Government No. 5592-ED-1 (2E)/69/12447, dated 13-5-69 extending the area in which the University shall exercise its powers, and (ii) the Circular of the University No. 8617-8661/GS/Misc., dated 15-6-70 as modified by Circular No. 9866-9890/DSG, dated 2-7-70 enclosing the decision of the Senate Sub-Committee dated 1-7-70 be quashed as being illegal, unconstitutional and void.

2. The petitioners are educational institutions founded by D. A V. College Trust and Society registered under the Societies Registration Act as an association comprised of Arya Sammajis. These Colleges were affiliated to the Punjab University before the reorganisation of the State of Punjab in 1966. The University had been constituted in 1961 and by a Notification dated June 30, 1962, it was given jurisdiction over a radius of 10 miles from the office of the University at Patiala which seat had