HYDERABAD: In a major relief to the Andhra Pradesh government, the Supreme Court on Wednesday granted interim stay on the high court order that virtually nullified the very existence of the AP State Council of Higher Education in Hyderabad.
An apex court bench, comprising Justice Vikramajit Sen and Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre, issued the directive on a petition filed by the APSCHE challenging the high court verdict.
The High Court, in its final judgment, had ruled that the APSCHE had no authority to function and administer an institution located in the State of Telangana and that assets, properties, funds and whatever lying at the present location of the APSCHE belong to the TSCHE. It had further declared that the APSCHE ceased to exist and had no right to operate its bank accounts in Hyderabad.
The APSCHE submitted to the apex court that the high court had delivered the verdict without taking into account the AP Reorganisation Act. As per the Act, the APSCHE has the authority to run the council till it’s officially divided, it contended. The Supreme Court bench, after giving the APSCHE a patient hearing, put the high court ruling in abeyance and made it clear “APSCHE is, therefore, free to conduct entrance test in respect of institutions which are located in the Andhra Pradesh.” It directed the respondents to file counter-affidavits and deferred hearing by six weeks.