Madras High Court
Selvi.K.Krithika vs / on 23 August, 2019
Author: G.Jayachandran
Bench: G.Jayachandran
W.P.No.25115 of 2019
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
Reserved on: 13.09.2019 Pronounced on: 17.09.2019
Coram::
The Honourable Dr.Justice G.Jayachandran
Writ Petition No.26529 of 2019
& W.M.P.No.25897 of 2019
Selvi.K.Krithika,
Daughter of Kumar,
Represented by her Natural
Guardian Father, Mr.Kumar,
No.2, Mettu Street,
Chinnakalapet,
Puducherry – 605 014. ... Petitioner
/versus/
1. The District Collector,
I – Floor, New Revenue Complex,
Pondicherry District,
Vazhudavoor Road,
Pettaiyanchathiram,
Puducherry.
2. The Deputy Collector (Revenue) North – cum-
Sub- Divisional Magistrate (North),
Villianur, Puducherry.
3. Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate
Medical Education & Research (JIPMER),
III – Floor, Academic Section,
Rep. by its Registrar,
JIPMER Academic Centre,
Dhanvantri Nagar, P.O,
Puducherry – 605 006. ... Respondents
http://www.judis.nic.in
1/13
W.P.No.25115 of 2019
Prayer: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of
India, praying to issue Writ of Certiorari, to call for the records pertaining
to the proceedings of the 2nd respondent in Proceeding
No.4845/DCR(N)/A2/2019/2075, dated 23.08.2019 and to quash the
same as illegal, incompetent and ultravires and for any other further
orders as this Hon'ble Court deem it.
For Petitioner : Mr.V.Raghavachari,
for Mr.R.Jayaprakash
For R1 & R2 : Mr.C.T.Ramesh,
Additional Government Pleader, (Pondy)
For R3 : Mr.M.T.Arunan, Standing Counsel
ORDER
Heard the Learned Counsel for the Petitioner and the Learned Counsel for the Respondents.
2. The petitioner Selvi.K.Krithika, got admission in the JIPMER Medical College, Puducherry on 28.06.2019 under the quota reserved for residents of Puducherry. Later on receipt of complaints from public, enquiry was conducted by the Deputy Collector-cum-Sub Divisional Magistrate (North), Puducherry and found that the residential certificate issued to Thiru K.Kumar by the Tahsildar, Taluk Office, Oulgaret based on http://www.judis.nic.in 2/13 W.P.No.25115 of 2019 misleading informations given by Mr.K.Kumar and on concealment of material facts. Hence, proceedings dated 23.08.2019 issued by Deputy Collector (Revenue) North-cum-Sub Divisional Magistrate, Puducherry, cancelling the residential certificate bearing C.No.2023/TOO/TLK/2019, dated 06.05.2019 issued in favour of K.Kumar as it has been issued without any basis, on false representation of facts besides travesty of truth. As a consequence, the petitioner apprehending removal from the College has filed this Writ Petition challenging the proceedings of the Deputy Collector Revenue (North)-cum-Sub Divisional Magistrate (North).
3. According to the petitioner, her father Mr.K.Kumar is working as Professor at Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Pondicherry Engineering College, Pillaichavadi, Puducherry from 06.10.1995. Between 15.10.1995 and 31.08.2005, Mr.K.Kumar resided in the Official Quarters bearing No.E/1, Type IV Quarters, Pondicherry Engineering College. In the year 2005, he went for Higher studies (Ph.d) at Anna University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. So, he moved the family to Chennai. On completion of his Ph.D programme, he rejoined duty on 07.08.2008. He moved to a house at No.2, Mettu Street, Chinnakalapet, Puducherry on 01.02.2009. Since then, he is residing in that house. The petitioner, who was born on 16.01.2002 http://www.judis.nic.in 3/13 W.P.No.25115 of 2019 reside at Chennai, Tamil Nadu along with her mother who employed at Chennai. The petitioner completed her studies at Chennai, Tamil Nadu, her address is No:75/10, Lotus Flats, Gandhi Nagar, 3rd Main Road, Adyar, Chennai – 600 020. Her permanent address is Plot No.4, Flat No.F.3, Bharat Nagar, 1st Main Road, Madipakkam, Chennai – 600 091.
4. The contention of the petitioner is that, her father being resident of Puducherry for the past 22 years and serving at Pondicherry Engineering College, she is entitle to be considered under resident of Puducherry, quota in JIPMER as per clause in the prospectus of JIPMER, which reads as below:
(iv). Pondicherry – Unreserved (P-UR)
a). Those candidates or whose parents (either mother or father or both) or Guardian (in the case of children who have lost both parents) has been residing continuously in this Union Territory for at least five years immediately preceding the closing date of application.
b). Those who have SSLC/HSC or any other public examination and for that purpose had undergone academic studies continuously for 5 successive classes immediately preceding the qualifying examination (including the year of the qualifying examination) in recognized education institutions (s) located in Puducherry Union Territory and having their residence in the Puducherry Union Territory for five years continuously during that period.
http://www.judis.nic.in 4/13 W.P.No.25115 of 2019
5. The Learned Senior Counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner father being a resident of Puducherry, as per clause
(iv)(a), the residential certificate issued based on the Service certificate, Employment Identity card, Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) and Driving License of her father Mr.K.Kumar is valid and unassailable. She/Kirthika, having scored 526/720 in N.E.E.T and secured 30th place in JIPMER, Pondicherry Unreserved Category, she should be allowed to continue her study in JIPMER by quashing the proceedings of the 1st respondent.
6. In the counter, the 1st respondent has stated, how and why the residential certificate given to the petitioner father on 06.05.2019 was cancelled vide proceedings dated 23.08.2019. The reasons are capsulized in the impugned order as well as in the table at paragraph No.12 of the counter, which is extracted below for easy under standing.
a. Service Certificate of Thiru The Service Certificate merely Kumar, S/o. Kandasamy, working provides the details of applicant's as Professor in Department of post and tenure of his service and Electronic & Communication details about his pay/salary and not Engineering, Pondicherry stated anything about the Engineering College issued by the residential status of applicant or her Principal, Pondicherry father. As such it cannot be relied Engineering College. upon to establish the residential status to Thiru K.Kumar, the father of applicant.
http://www.judis.nic.in 5/13 W.P.No.25115 of 2019 b. Study Certificate of There is clear mention that the Selvi.Krithika from LKG to XII applicant has pursued her studies Standard from the year 2005 to from LKG to 12th Standard in 2019 issued by the Principal, Adayar, Chennai and therefore does St.Michael's Academy ICSE, not stand as document to establish School of Excellence, Adayar, the residential status of applicant's Chennai, Tamil Nadu. father.
c. Employee Identity card issued It merely establishes that the by the Principal, Pondicherry applicant's father Thiru.K.Kumar is Engineering College. employed as Professor in Puducherry Engineering College and therefore cannot be accepted as a proof of residence.
d. Electoral Photo Identity Card The EPIC is not in existence and has
bearing No.GKY0446591 of been cancelled.
Thiru.Kumar, S/o.Kandasamy
issued by the ERO, Lawspet
Assembly Constituency dated Whereas, Thiru.K.Kumar is having a
23.10.2002. new EPIC in Mylapore, Chennai, address with EPIC No.RJE1512409 where his family resides.
The EPIC, which was issued in the year 2002 bears the address of E/1 Type – IV Quarters of Puducherry Engineering College.
Whereas, the Official records
received from the Pondicherry
Engineering College and subsequent
field enquiry has proved that the he
is not residing in the said address.
e. Driving License The Driving License was issued in
No.PY0120000005299, dated the year 2000 with the address E/1,
17.10.2000 issued by the Type – IV Quarters of Puducherry
Transport Department, Engineering College.
Puducherry
Whereas, the Official records
received from the Pondicherry
Engineering College and subsequent
filed enquiry has proved that he is
not residing in the said address.
7. The petitioner's father and mother are educated and http://www.judis.nic.in 6/13 W.P.No.25115 of 2019 employed. Admittedly, father employed in Pondicherry Engineering College, Pondicherry, Mother working in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The petitioner Selvi.K.Kirthika residing at Chennai. Her father, on 22.04.2019 has applied for residential certificate declaring his residence as E/1, Type IV Quarters, Pondicherry Engineering College Quarters, Pillaichavadi. Based on his application and documents produced, the Tashildar has issued residential certificate as if, Mr.K.Kumar is a resident of the above address. After outcry of public that the petitioner has been allotted seat under Pondicherry resident Quota based on false declaration, enquiry has been conducted. During the enquiry, the Deputy Registrar of Pondicherry Engineering College, has produced records to show Kumar is not residing in the College Quarters at present. He vacated quarters as early as 31.08.2005 and claiming H.R.A since 01.09.2005. Thus, it is proved beyond doubt that the certificate issued by the Tashildar on 06.05.2019 that Mr.K.Kumar is residing at E/1, Type IV Quarters, Pondicherry Engineering College Campus, is false.
8. Now during enquiry Mr.K.Kumar has come out with a new case that after vacating the quarters, he shifted his residence to No.2, Mettu Street, Chinnakalapet, Puducherry. He has produced rental agreement dated 27.03.2019, wherein, it contains a recital that he is http://www.judis.nic.in 7/13 W.P.No.25115 of 2019 residing at the said address for past 10 years since 01.02.2009 onwards and this deed is renewal of the lease period for further 11 months. If really, he was residing in the above said address for the past 10 yeas, why he did not apply for residential certificate disclosing that address is left to anyone guess. Further, the said rental deed is an unregistered document, dated 27.03.2019. During the enquiry the landlord son has deposed that Thiru.Kumar, used to park his two wheeler in their house. Later, for the past one year, he is in possession of the 2nd floor of that house for which he is paying rent. The driving license, Passport Verification, Bank pass book relied by the petitioner cannot be a substantial proof for residence for the past 5 years. The EPIC card bearing No.RJE1512409 issued recently to Mr.K.Kumar shows he and his family members are residents of Mylapore, Chennai.
9. The residential certificate to Mr.Kumar issued primarily based on service certificate, EPIC card dated 23.10.2002 and driving License dated 17.10.2000. In view of the statement of the Deputy Registrar of Pondicherry Engineering College it is established that Mr.K.Kumar is not a resident of E/1, Type IV Quarters, Pondicherry Engineering College, Pillaichavadi. The EPIC card relied by Mr.K.Kumar was issued in the year 2000 later replaced with New EPIC card showing http://www.judis.nic.in 8/13 W.P.No.25115 of 2019 he is resident of Chennai. It is not necessary for a person employed in Pondicherry should reside within Pondicherry. Place of residence is choice of employee. The petitioner father not residing in the post attached quarters. He is claiming H.R.A since October 2005 for residing elsewhere. Therefore, he ought not to have sought for residential certificate mentioning E/1, Type IV Quarters, Pondicherry Engineering College Campus, Chinnakalapet, as his place of residence based on cancelled EPIC card and old documents which are not of recent origin. When the requirement is proof of residence for the past 5 years, the petitioner has concealed the primary documents of recent origin namely the EPIC card, but produced old EPIC card, to avoid exposure of his falsehood.
10. The attempt of the petitioner's father to introduce a new place of residence through an unregistered rental deed also to be deprecated. He did not sought for residential certificate intimating No.2, Mettu Street, Chinnakalapet as his residence. He has applied for residential certificate showing his College Quarters as residence for the past 5 years. The bills of Packers and Movers, Electrical bills, rental agreement are all documents in respect of No.2, Mettu Street, Pillaichavadi, proves that they were prepared and produced during http://www.judis.nic.in 9/13 W.P.No.25115 of 2019 enquiry. So they are of no use. Undoubtedly, he is not residing at the address for which he got the residential certificate.
11. It is highly deplorable state of affair that even well educated, well placed people indulging in such deceptive act to get placement in Education Institute for their choice. No doubt the petitioner has secured impressive score but, she cannot try to occupy a seat which she is not entitle.
12. When her claim under Pondicherry residential Quota questioned, the 1st respondent/District Collector, Pondichery, after proper enquiry has held that the residential certificate issued indicating the petitioner father as resident of No.E/1, Type IV Quarters, Pondicherry Engineering College Campus, Pillaichavadi, Kalapet, Puducherry, is issued based on false representation and travesty of truth.
13. On the face of record, it is seen that the residential certificate issued to Kumar on 06.05.2019 liable to be cancelled. The reasoning and justification given by Kumar for his misrepresentation are untenable. Any misplaced sympathy will only encourage falsehood and deceit at the cost of genuine and deserving resident of Puducherry for http://www.judis.nic.in 10/13 W.P.No.25115 of 2019 whom the seat is reserved. Hence, the 3rd respondent/JIPMER, Pondicherry, is directed to cancel the admission given to the petitioner and return all her certificates forthwith.
14. In the interest of the petitioner, this Court holds that the cancellation of her admission in JIPMER, Pondicherry, this academic year shall not be held against her, in future for getting admission in any Colleges including Medical College, if she is found otherwise eligible.
15. Accordingly, the Writ Petition is dismissed. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed.
17.09.2019
Index :Yes/No
Internet :Yes/No
bsm
To,
1. The District Collector,
I – Floor, New Revenue Complex,
Pondicherry District,
Vazhudavoor Road,
Pettaiyanchathiram,
Puducherry.
2. The Deputy Collector (Revenue) North – cum-
Sub- Divisional Magistrate (North), http://www.judis.nic.in 11/13 W.P.No.25115 of 2019 Villianur, Puducherry.
3. The Registrar, Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER), III – Floor, Academic Section, JIPMER Academic Centre, Dhanvantri Nagar, P.O, Puducherry – 605 006.
Dr.G.Jayachandran,J.
http://www.judis.nic.in 12/13 W.P.No.25115 of 2019 bsm Pre-delivery order in Writ Petition No.26529 of 2019 17.09.2019 http://www.judis.nic.in 13/13