Hyderabad, April 17: A Division bench of the High Court, comprising Chief Justice Nissar Ahmed Kukru and Justice PV Sanjay Kumar, today ordered status quo in the case of certain students of deemed universities providing distance education.
The bench was dealing with a batch of writ appeals filed against the orders of a single judge who had rejected the petitions of students of the Vinayaka Mission Research Foundation, when they were not being given their degrees following the recommendations of the Tandon Committee.
The petitions raised questions including the one whether the recommendations could override the powers of the UGC and other statutory bodies. A single judge of the court had ruled that the three statutory bodies _ UGC, Distance Education Commission and AICTE _ ought to have jointly granted the permission. The judge also recorded a finding that permission could only be prospective. The bench will hear the cases after the summer vacation.
Plea against rating of TV programmes admitted
Justice CV Nagarjuna Reddy admitted a writ petition questioning the practice of rating the popularity of television programmes in the State. VVSS Kameswar Rao, a practising advocate, moved the court stating inter alia that such rating led to unhealthy competition among TV channels. He referred to earlier petitions filed by him against such illegal telecasts and said officials failed to take steps under the Cable Network Act. This was causing great hardship and adversely affecting the social fabric of the country, he said.
TTD CVSO issue: Contempt case against Govt closed
Justice Nooty Ram Mohan Rao closed a contempt case filed against the State Government for not taking action against NK Singh, an errant police officer and present chief vigilance and security officer of TTD. The officer was accused of abusing office while serving in Krishna district.
“Despite serious charges that Singh had abused his position and got a shopping complex built illegally for the police in the district, the government had not taken any action against him,’’ the petition said.
Earlier the court had sought an enquiry against the official.
In the present contempt case it was contended that even though the finding of the said enquiry had revealed that the charges were valid and the court had directed appropriate action, no action was taken by the government.
Today, Additional Advocate-General Sudershan Reddy informed the court that the matter had since been referred to the CID and nothing remained for the government to do. The judge recorded the same and closed the contempt case.
Hearing on Shoaib Malik’s plea for passport adjourned
Justice CV Nagarjuna Reddy adjourned to next week hearing on the plea by Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik seeking return of his passport. Advocate-General DV Sitaram Murthy sought time till Monday. The petitioner produced an affidavit by Ayesha, his alleged first wife, agreeing to a compromise with him and said she did not intend to pursue the criminal complaint against him.
Water supply to Allwyn Housing Colony ordered
Justice L Narsimha Reddy directed the concerned to release water to the residents of Hyderabad Allwyn Housing Welfare Society at Kukatpally in the city. The society moved the court complaining that the authorities and the Deen Dayal Welfare Association were not supplying water to the residents and causing great hardship to the residents.
The judge pointed out that from the case it was clear that the officials were supplying water in bulk and it was the welfare society that had withheld the supply. Ordering supply of water, he asked the members to clear any dues for the facility.
–Agencies