J U D G M E N T

Amit Rawal, J.

The question involved in the present intra court appeal is whether a High Court can grant a declaration in a case set up by the students pursuing the L.L.M. Maritime evening course from the University of Kerala for Fisheries and Ocean Studies, particularly when they are holding the post of Civil Police Officer and Divisional Manager without leave, allowance or otherwise. The petitioners in the writ petition had approached the learned Single Bench with the following prayers:

“1. Declare that the petitioners are entitled for educational assistance by way of fee concession, granted to Scheduled Caste students, for the course L.L.M.-Maritime Law under the 4^th respondent university;

2. Issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction commanding the respondents 1 to 3 to extend the benefit of educational assistance by way of fees concession to the petitioners for the course L.L.M.-Maritime Law under 4^th respondent University;

3. Issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction commanding the