CHENNAI: A circular dated August 8 of the Law College in Perungudi declaring an indefinite closure of the college has been withdrawn and classes shall resume most probably from August 16.
A decision was taken before the first bench of the Madras High Court, when a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) for early settling of the disputes raised by the students came up on August 12. The petitioner is advocate P Vimalraj of Rasipuram in Namakkal district, a former student of the law college.
According to advocate E Vijay Anand, the issue had been discussed with the students, who assured that there would be no further boycott of classes or disciplinary issues, especially since the court was now monitoring the case.
In view of the aforesaid, the counsel appearing for Vice-Chancellor of Tamil Nadu N Dr Ambedkar Law University, its Registrar and Director stated that the circular issued on August 8 last, closing the law college indefinitely stands withdrawn and the classes shall resume.
The bench of Chief Justice SK Kaul and Justice R Mahadevan emphasised that insofar as the norms for promotion were concerned, from one class to the other, that was a matter to be left to the law school.
Similarly on the issue of boys’ hostel, while the girls’ hostel is existing on the present campus, the boys’ hostel has not been constructed yet and thus the boys are accommodated outside the campus. “We would, however, like to know as to what is the stage qua the construction of the boys’ hostel and when it is expected to be completed. There is also the issue of maintenance of boys’ hostel, the bench added.
The VC and others will inspect the area and submit a report about the deficiencies and as to how those deficiencies will be removed. The deficiencies are basic in character in terms of maintenance of the building, the windows and doors, maintenance of bathrooms, electricity fittings etc. and water supply made available.
“The last aspect of concern is the lecturers-students ratio. Over time, the number of students has grown manifold, while faculty strength remains the same as in 2002. We are conscious of the fact that it is not easy to find suitable faculty, but an effort must be made to get either permanent faculty or visiting persons who can lecture on the subject. Once again, we would like to know as to what is the required staff strength for the number of students, how many endeavours have been made to recruit staff strength and what is the plan of action to ensure that adequate staff strength is recruited. The alternative arrangement made for teaching in the meantime should also be set out,” the bench added.
The affidavit shall be filed within three weeks. An endeavour should be made for an open-house with the resident students so that they are able to put forth their difficulties directly to the administration, the bench added and listed the matter on September 9.