The court emphasized the need for equitable treatment in educational admissions, especially in extraordinary circumstances.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 27-02-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY and W.M.P.No.8942 of 2026 A.Abinaya ..Petitioner Vs

1. The Directorate of Legal Studies, No.198, Purasaivakkam High Road, Pava Puri Colony, Lumbini Square, Purasaiwakkam, Chennai – 600 010.

2. The Principal, Dr.Ambedkar Government Law College, Pattaraiperumpudhur, Thiruvallur – 631 203. ..Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for the issuance of Writ of Mandamus, to direct first respondent to open the online portal and seeking direction to second respondent to admit the petitioner for the 4^th semester and permit the petitioner to join and attend the classes for the academic year 2026, based on the petitioner’s representation dated 23.01.2026.

For Petitioner: Mr.V.Karthikeyan For Respondents: Mr.S.Senthil Murugan Special Government Pleader for R1 & R2

ORDER

The writ petition is filed directing the first respondent to open the online portal and seeking direction to the second respondent to admit the petitioner for the 4^th semester and permit the petitioner to join attend the classes for the academic year, 2026, based on the petitioner’s representation dated 23.01.2026.

2. Upon hearing the learned counsel for the petitioner and perusing the material records of the case, it can be seen that the petitioner has been regularly undergoing the course in the second respondent college. As per the requirements of the Directorate of Legal Studies, the procedure of uploading the details of the student for admission into the 4^th semester has to be carried out. At the relevant point of time, the petitioner could not attend college, since her father was admitted into the hospital. When she reported to the college belatedly, her particulars could not be uploaded since the portal has already been closed. However, the petitioner is otherwise attending the classes.

3. Mr.S.Senthil Murugan, the learned Special Government Pleader takes notice for the respondents seeks time to get instructions. He would submit that for some of them, special permission was given by opening the portal belatedly;

however, the petitioner has not come up at the relevant time.

4. I have considered the rival submissions made on either side and perused the material records of the case.

5. Since the medical condition of the petitioner’s father is pleaded and the petitioner claims that she has been regularly attending the courses and had reported to the college within a few days after the portal was closed, I am of the opinion that treating this as an extraordinary situation, the first respondent can be directed to reopen the online portal or receive the particular physically through the concerned person dealing and regularised the same.

6. In view thereof, this writ petition is ordered on the following terms:

The petitioner shall appear before the first respondent on 04.03.2026 at

10:30 a.m. along with the web copy of this order. On such appearance, the first respondent shall consider the case of the petitioner and direct her to the concerned officials dealing with the issue and endeavour to reopen the portal for the petitioner. If any coordination with the college is required, the same shall also be done. The particulars be uploaded and the petitioner’s admission be regularised and she shall be permitted to continue the course. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is also closed. No costs.