( 1 ) THE petitioners are three students of first year LL. B Course in Jamia Millia Islamia, a Central University, governed by the provisions of the Jamia Millia Islamia Act, 1988. The respondents in the writ petition are the Vice Chancellor, the Registrar and the Dean, Faculty of Law of the said University.

( 2 ) THE petitioners challenge the decision of the respondents to detain them from appearing in the examination of LL. B. first year (1996-97) on account of their having secured attendance less than the minimum prescribed by the Academic Council for the year 1996-97. The main prayer in the writ petition is for a direction to the respondents to allow the petitioners to appear in the examination.

( 3 ) ANNEXURE-A to the writ petition is an office order dated 21st July, 1997 issued by the Joint Registrar in the Office of the Registrar, Jamia Millia Islamia. It reads thus:

"owing to the unusual conditions which prevailed during the year 1996-97 the students who have secured attendance less than 40% are also allowed to appear at the examination to be held in 1997. In case of Faculty of Law, this concession has\not been extended to the students of Law Faculty as per the