Procedural due process must be followed in disciplinary actions by educational institutions to ensure compliance with justice principles.

J U D G M E N T

Dated this the 27^th day of November, 2025 The petitioners are two students, who were rusticated from their College for alleged misconduct. Ext.P3 is the punishment order. The petitioners have filed the writ petition seeking the following reliefs:-

i. Issue a Writ of Certiorari or any other appropriate writ, order, or direction quashing Exhibit P3 order dated 10.11.2025 issued by the 3^rd respondent, whereby the petitioners were suspended from all academic activities of the current semester, removed from the hostel for a period of one year, and imposed with a fine of Rs. 5000/-, or in any other manner held to be illegal, arbitrary, ultra vires, and in violation of the principles of natural justice.

ii. Declare that Ext.P3 is void ab initio and without jurisdiction, as no prior approval of the Vice-Chancellor was obtained which is in violation of Statute 5 (xiv) of the Kerala Agricultural University Statutes.

iii. Direct the respondents to allow the petitioners to continue their academic activities for the current semester, including attending classes, participating in academic, co-curricular, and extra-curricular activities, and to appear for all examinations (Practical and Theory)

scheduled for the 5^th semester.

iv. Declare that the petitioners were not guilty of any misconduct or breach of hostel rules, and that the punishment imposed upon them was disproportionate, discriminatory, and in violation of Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India.

2. After hearing the matter for considerable length, I find that no formal charge sheet was issued on the petitioners before imposing the penalty as per Ext.P3. Therefore, what ever be the merits of the case, Ext.P3 order cannot be sustained. The respondents will have to conduct a proper enquiry after issuing charge sheet.

3. In the circumstances, the writ petition is disposed of setting aside Ext.P3 and permitting the respondents to conduct proper enquiry after issuing charge sheet and in compliance of the principles of nature justice.

4. The suspension order imposed as per Ext.P2 shall continue to be in force till a fresh enquiry is ordered and concluded. The petitioners shall be permitted to appear for the examinations scheduled as per Ext.P6, in spite of the suspension, provided the petitioners satisfy all other parameters.

The 2^nd petitioner being a candidate belonging to OEC, if the 2^nd petitioner submits a request for reinduction into the hostel, the 1^st respondent shall consider the request and take a decision as per law.

Sd/-