HC seeks personal appearance of KU officials

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 24: The High Court has sought personal appearance of top officials of University of Kashmir (KU) for defying the court order on allowing the Law student to appear in 6th Semester examinations.
Justice Mohan Lal directed the Registrar, Dean Academics, Dean School of Law and Controller examination of KU to remain present before the court on Monday (February 27) to explain as to why the order of January 27 has not been implemented.
The court had directed the KU authorities to allow the petitioner-Mohammad Ali to appear in the examination of 6th Semester of BA LLB course which was scheduled to be held on February 4. The University counsel after passing of the said direction had assured that the said order will be implemented in letter and spirit. He had submitted that the petitioner-Ali would be allowed to appear in the examinations.
Since the KU-authorities defied the court direction by not allowing the petitioner to appear in the exams which compelled the petitioner to institute the contempt proceedings against the erring officials of the Varsity.
“The respondents are again directed to comply with the order of this Court dated 27.01.2023 in letter and spirit, as assured by their counsel, by the next date of hearing. In the meantime, Respondent Nos. 2, 3, 5 and 7 shall appear in person before this Court on the next date of hearing positively showing cause as to why the order of this Court is not being implemented”, Justice Lal directed. The matter in view of the urgency is listed before the court weekly. “In view of the controversy involved in the question, it would be apt to list the case for final adjudication as the career of the student is involved”, read the court order.
The University counsel on February 10 produced a communication issued by the Joint Registrar, Legal Cell, University of Kashmir, by virtue of which, the petitioner has been allowed to submit the examination form in order to appear in the B.A. LLB. 6th Semester examination at his own risk and responsibility.
“With a view to clinch the controversy in question, it would be apt to direct the senior counsel appearing for the University to file reply to the main petition with advance copy to learned counsel for the petitioner. He may do so on or before the next date of hearing”, read the order.
The Court has kept the main matter for final disposal on February 28 while the contempt petition would be heard by the court on February 27.