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1952 Supreme(All) 219

HIGH COURT OF ALLAHBAD
BIND BASNI PRASAD, BASUDEVA MUKERJI, JJ.
Ramesh Chandra Chaube
Versus
Principal Bipin Behari Intermediate College
Civil Misc Writ No. 383 of 1952
Decided On : 10-09-1952

Advocates:
S. N. Divivedi-for Petitioner.

Headnote:

EDUCATION - RIGHT TO EDUCATION - ADMISSION AND CONTINUATION OF STUDIES - PRINCIPAL'S REFUSAL TO RE-ADMIT STUDENT WITHOUT ASSIGNING REASONS - NO VIOLATION OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS - COURT'S DISCRETION UNDER ARTICLE 226 OF THE CONSTITUTION NOT EXERCISED.

Fact of the Case:

The petitioner, a student of the Bipin Behari Intermediate College, Jhansi, was refused re-admission to the 2nd year Intermediate Class without any reasons being assigned by the Principal. The petitioner approached the Inspector of Schools and the Managing Committee of the college, but they upheld the Principal's decision.

Finding of the Court:

The court held that the Principal's refusal to re-admit the petitioner was not a violation of any fundamental rights and that it was not necessary for the Principal to hold an inquiry or communicate the reasons for his decision to the petitioner. The court also held that the Principal had adequate reasons for refusing admission to the petitioner, as evidenced by the fact that neither the Managing Committee nor the District Inspector of Schools had taken any action to reverse the Principal's decision.

Issues: 1. Whether the Principal's refusal to re-admit the petitioner was a violation of his fundamental rights. 2. Whether the Principal was required to hold an inquiry and communicate the reasons for his decision to the petitioner.

Ratio Decidendi: 1. The right to education is not a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution. 2. The Principal has the right to refuse admission to a student for adequate reasons, without being required to communicate those reasons to the student.

Final Decision: The court dismissed the petitioner's application for a writ of mandamus or other suitable direction, order, or writ to compel the Principal to re-admit the petitioner.

Judgement

BIND BASNI PRASAD, J. :- This is an application under Art.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 he 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 re-continued 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 petitioners 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 petitioners father :

"I have made inquiries in that connection and have no reason to interfere with the Principals 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 6-6-1952, 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 Art.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 Principals 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 Art.226 of the Constitution.

4. Learned counsel has contended that this action on the part of the Principal is an infringement of the right to the freedom of speech and expression guaranteed by Art.19(1)(a) of the Constitution. We are unable to agree with this. All what the action of the Principal amo








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