Madras High Court Allows Students With Diploma/ Polytechnic Course To Pursue 5-Year Law Course

The Madras High Court while dealing with a writ petition calling for the records pertaining to the admission notification for five years integrated law course for the academic year 2022-2023 issued by the Registrar, Dr. Ambedkar Law University, Tamil Nadu has recently allowed the students with Diploma/ Polytechnic Course for pursuing the 5-year course.

A Single Bench of Justice C.V. Karthikeyan held –

“… if he is otherwise eligible offer him a seat for 5 year B.A., L.L.B., course, in accordance with other rules and regulations. But he cannot be disqualified merely on the ground that, he had studied 3 year diploma course, after completing the 10th standard. This Writ Petition stands allowed to that extent. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petitions are closed. The 1st respondent, when they issue the prospectus for the future years, may consider the judgment of this Court, particularly, the judgment of the Division Bench, stated above, and also the Bar Council of India circular and incorporate in their prospectus, that the students who have completed 3 year diploma / polytechnic by a recognized institution after completing 10th standard, shall also be considered at par with those students who had done their +2 and obtained their certificates.”

Advocate A. Mohamed Ismail appeared on behalf of the petitioner.

Advocate S.R. Raghunathan appeared for the respondents.

In this case, the petitioner sought interference of the High Court with the Admission notification for five years integrated Law Degree course for the academic year 2022 – 2023 dated July 11, 2022, issued by the Registrar, Dr. Ambedkar Law University, Tamil Nadu, and permit him to participate in the selection process for the five years B.A., L.L.B., a course offered at the affiliated colleges under the respondent. The petitioner had completed his 10th standard. He had then done his 3-year diploma course. He now wanted to join law.

The High Court in this context noted, “Let me not enter into a detailed discussion about the merits or otherwise of the respective courses, but restrict myself to examine whether the petitioner is eligible to apply for five year B.A., L.L.B., and whether the respondents are placed under an obligation to consider his application.”

The Court further observed that the circular was quite self-explanatory in nature and that the petitioner's qualification entitle him to participate in the selection process for the 5 years integrated law course

The Court also said, “In this connection, I am also informed that a Division Bench of this Court in W.P.No.22193 of 2022 by an order dated 21.12.2022, P.Santhru Swaminathan Vs. The Registrar, the Tamil Nadu Dr.Ambedkar Law University and two others, had also examined the very same aspect and had held that the 3 year diploma / polytechnic course issued by an institution recognized by the Government shall be considered at par with +2 certificate for the purpose of admission for the 5 year integrated L.L.B., degree course.”

Accordingly, the Court allowed the writ petition.

Cause Title – S. Karthi v. The Registrar & Ors.

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