The Hindu : New Delhi News : Apex court nod to counselling

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, May 17, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

New Delhi

New Delhi

Apex court nod to counselling

J. Venkatesan

No admissions to be made under 4 per cent Muslim quota

Supreme Court passes interim order on SLP filed by Andhra Pradesh government
Apex court had upheld the 27 per cent OBC quota law

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday allowed the Andhra Pradesh government to go ahead with the process of counselling for students, but no admissions can be made under the 4 per cent Muslim quota law in educational institutions for 2008-2009.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and judges H.K. Sema and P. P. Naolekar passed this interim order on a special leave filed by the State challenging an order passed by the Andhra Pradesh High Court restraining the government from admitting students under the Muslim quota law.

High Court order

Senior counsel K. Parasaran, appearing for the State, submitted that the High Court order was contrary to the directions issued by the Supreme Court, particularly after the apex court had upheld the 27 per cent OBC quota law.

He wanted the Bench to allow the government to conduct counselling but not admit students under the Muslim quota law.

Appearing for respondents T. Muralidhar Rao and others, senior counsel Harish Salve, K. Ramakrishna Reddi, M.N. Krishnamani and Rajeev Dhavan, opposed admission of students under the Muslim quota law.

However, they agreed for counselling to go on.

Hearing in July

The Bench passed a brief order issuing notice to the respondents and allowing counselling to go on.

The Bench, however, made it clear that no admission could be made under the Muslim quota law.

It posted the matter for further hearing in July. It asked the High Court to proceed with the final hearing of the matter.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

New Delhi