Last Updated on December 14, 2023 by News Desk
Introduction:
The Kerala High Court’s recent decision to permit a law graduate’s enrollment, despite missing the application deadline, sparks debate on exceptions and procedural rigidity in enrollment ceremonies. The petitioner’s plea centered on delayed university results hindering timely application submission.
Reasoning:
In a nuanced evaluation, the court acknowledged the petitioner’s legitimate predicament due to delayed documentation. Justice Devan Ramachandran emphasized the possession of a verified Provisional Degree Certificate, pivotal in justifying the exception. Notably, the court’s ruling specified the non-precedential nature of the decision, maintaining the uniqueness of the case.
Arguments:
The petitioner’s advocates, Aswin V. Nair and P.S. Preetha, highlighted the delay caused by Kerala University’s administrative backlog, which thwarted timely application submission. Contrarily, the Bar Council of Kerala’s counsel expressed concerns about setting a precedent, citing pending applications from over 200 candidates lacking similar documentation.
The Standing Counsel for Kerala University and the Bar Council acknowledged the authenticity of the petitioner’s certificates. However, the latter emphasized practical challenges in accommodating the petitioner, suggesting enrollment during the subsequent session, subject to timely police verification completion.
Conclusion:
Amidst a landscape of bureaucratic constraints, the Kerala High Court’s decision stood as a beacon of timely justice, considering the unique circumstances of the petitioner. Granting enrollment for the upcoming ceremony on December 17, 2023, the court balanced procedural adherence with empathetic consideration for genuine delays. This ruling reflects a prudent approach, ensuring fairness while upholding due process in legal enrollments.
Written by — Athi Venkatesh
