Mockery Of NLU Setup, Can't Play With Children's Career: Apex Court Rebukes NLU Tripura Over Cancellation Of Admissions

The Supreme Court while dealing with the Writ Petitions challenging cancellation of the 2022-23 admission process by the National Law University Tripura, expressed strong disapproval of the University's actions jeopardizing students' career prospects and directed the NLU to submit its response on how it will accommodate the students who have taken admission for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Commenting on the conduct of the National Law University (NLU), the bench consisting of Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia expressed their dismay. Justice Kaul remarked, "People have chosen to seek admissions... What is this? This is a mockery of the NLU setup... you should not have advertised that such a college exists. Please file an affidavit. You can't play with children's careers.."

Justice Dhulia added, "The reason which you gave earlier is hardly any reason...No domicile quota... What is this? You could have stated that there is no proper teaching staff."

Advocates Yadav Narender Singh and Shuvodeep Roy appeared for the Petitioners.

On the last date of the hearing, the Court had impleaded the Bar Council of India and had sought its response. The Court had stated that expectations were raised in respect of students who may not have got admission elsewhere by seeking to offer them admission. "This is hardly how an NLU should be running! We also fail to appreciate how the University is also certified by the Bar Council of India if neither there is any faculty nor is there any building", stated the order.

Today the Bar Council of India informed the Court that this is a National Law School established through a State Act. BCI submitted that for such colleges established under State Acts, there is a provision in the rules of legal education that grants them one year to apply for inspection while other universities and colleges have to apply immediately. In response, the Bench raised a query, asking whether the BCI had conducted the inspection. The Counsel responded in the negative. "There is no application with us, but they have one year, and this period concludes on October 10, 2023", submitted the BCI.

Furthermore, the petitioner informed the Court that she had secured admission in Jabalpur and another location, however, due to the considerable distance, she intended to enrol in Tripura and consequently sacrificed her opportunities at the other institutes, and as a result, lost this academic session.

Asking the Senior Advocate Maninder Singh appearing for the NLU how the student concerns will be addressed, the Court in its order dictated, "On hearing the counsel of parties, a very unsatisfactory situation emerges. The fact is that the NLU never picked off for the academic year 2022-2023 and for 2023-2024 no admissions were done because the facilities were not forthcoming."

Continuing, the Court stated in its order, "In view of that aforesaid position, the Counsel of the Petitioner submits that there are candidates who got admission in other NLUs but due to proximity did not want to go to other institutes. It is submitted that several of the candidates who are left and are desirous of seeking admission, be accommodated for the admission of 2023- 2024 provided that they show that they have got admission. Learned Counsel for the NLU seeks short accommodation to obtain requisite information. Such of the Petitioner who are interested in seeking admission may enclose their admission copy to the learned counsel for the Respondent."

The Bench posted the matter for October 16, 2023.

On December 19, 2022, NLU Tripura released a notification, announcing the cancellation of the admission process for the current academic year due to the absence of state domicile quota. They also refunded the admission fees paid by the selected students. More than sixteen students have approached the Apex Court, challenging the university's notification as violative of Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Constitution of India.

Cause Title: Somya Sanjay Vs. National Law University Tripura Agartala & connected matter [Diary No.- 693 - 2023]