CHENNAI: "We are not impressed with the arguments that some deemed universities have better infrastructure than other technical institutions, and hence, they need not subject themselves to inspection," the Madras High Court has said, hearing a batch of petitions on the All-India Council for Technical Education's jurisdiction over deemed universities.

Citing the "blatant" and "glaring example" of Vinayaka Mission Research Foundation's management of its Arupadaiveedu Institute of Technology, the Bench said the interpretation by the deemed universities that the AICTE should be kept out completely could lead to such a situation.

The Bench also asked how it was possible for a technical institution, which was under the regulatory control of the AICTE, to say that it was beyond the ambit of the AICTE once they were granted the deemed university status. It reiterated that even after becoming deemed universities those institutions must comply with the norms and standards prescribed by the AICTE.

"There must be an element of inspection," it said.

The Bench also sought to know who would revoke the deemed university status if it were found that the institution concerned flouted the norms and regulations. It wanted to know why should the deemed universities resist AICTE inspection.

It then asked K. Chandru, senior counsel for the University Grants Commission (UGC), to furnish the list of institutions that were accorded the deemed university status and asked him to spell out the basis on which the status was granted.

Later, K.M. Vijayan, senior counsel for the AICTE, submitted that the term "prior permission" was redundant as far as the deemed universities were concerned because they had to be an AICTE-approved technical institution for being granted the deemed university status. Irrespective of the status, the AICTE had the powers to insist on the compliance with its norms.

Mr. Chandru, however, said that by trying to exclude the UGC's jurisdiction over deemed universities, the AICTE was attempting to arrogate to itself more powers.

Spot admission

R. Vaigai, counsel for the Students Federation of India (SFI), said the Vinayaka Mission had conducted "spot admissions" and issued advertisements even in West Bengal.

Students, who responded, were admitted to the Arupadaiveedu Institute of Technology.

Meanwhile, All-India Medical and Engineering Colleges Association president T.D. Naidu has filed a writ petition seeking to implead the Association as a party to the court proceedings. The deemed universities did not comply with the mandatory regulation such as the 15:1 student-teacher ratio, he said.

The UGC did not have monitoring agencies all over India to inspect the deemed universities, and the function was entrusted with the AICTE, he said.

Arguments will continue before the First Bench of Chief Justice A.P. Shah and Justice Prabha Sridevan on Thursday.

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