SC stays admission at Theni agri college

The Supreme Court has granted an interim stay on the Madras high court's order to allow College of Agricultural Technology (CAT), Theni, to fill its full quota of 120 seats.
Sree Krishna Educational Trust got approval from Government of Tamil Nadu to start the agricultural college for offering four year degree course (BSc in agricultural science) for 60 students by a government order dated June 21, 2010, issued by the agriculture department subject to affiliation by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) and fulfillment of its conditions within six months.
Subsequently, provisional affiliation was granted to the college in July 7, 2010, for admitting 60 students. A provisional approval was granted by TNAU for increase of students from 60 to 120 on June 20, 2011, for the academic year 2011-2012, as a special case, subject to the college abiding by the university's infrastructure and other facilities within six months.
After the university's standing committee inspected the college after four academic years, it issued a report in June 2016, saying the seats had to be reduced from 120 to 60 as the infrastructure facility available was only 41.31% out of 100%. As the college did not reply to the report, the next month TNAU decided to reduce strength to 60. The academic council also approved of the recommendation.
The same month, the trust moved the Madras high court (Madurai bench), which, in a single judge order on August 5, 2016, set aside the university's direction to reduce the seats, and ordered it to take final decision within six weeks.
The high court, in its order, said the university had "successfully frustrated" the procedure to admit rest of the 60 students. Despite knowing the final date of admission was August 31, it still did not take a final decision. Issuing a showcause notice to the university authorities the court said, why the university be not proceeded under the contempt of court Act, along with a fine of 25 lakh for denying admission to students. Passing interim orders, it granted provisional admission to the remaining students.
The trust then filed an appeal in the Madras high court saying the university had not yet taken a final decision, and was "bidding time." A division bench said despite knowing the final date of admission was August 31, it still did not take a final decision. Issuing a show-cause to the university authorities the court said, why the university be not proceeded under the contempt of court Act, along with imposition of a fine of Rs 25 lakh for denying admission to students. Passing interim orders, it granted provisional admission to the remaining students.
TNAU then moved the apex court. Advocate General Mukul Rohtagi appeared on the behalf of TNAU. A bench of Justice Dipak Mishra and Justice C Nagappan then granted interim stay on the Madras high court's order.