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Judgment
T.R. Ramachandran Nair, J.—The petitioner''s grievance is mainly with regard to the refusal of the University to grant recognition to her as an approved Research Guide, as per Exts.P4 and P6. The petitioner is working as Reader and Head of the Department of Chemistry in an aided college. Various details with regard to the service of the petitioner, have been stated in paragraphs 2 and 3 of the writ petition. It is stated that the petitioner was awarded Ph.D. degree from Dr. B.R. Ambedkhar University during February 2007 in Environmental Science after completion of the thesis under Faculty Improvement Programme with full aid from the University Grants Commission. Ext.P1 is the copy of the Degree certificate. Ext.P2 is the copy of order issued by the University regarding the norms for the recognition as Research Centre and norms for granting approval to Research Guides. The copy of the application of the petitioner is produced as Ext.P3 which is dated 18.11.2008. We are only concerned with the sufficiency and legality of the reasons stated in Ext.P4 which stands confirmed by the later order produced as Ext.P6.
The respondents have filed a counter affidavit. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Standing Counsel for the University.
Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the reasons stated in Ext.P4 is that the publications are in a Multidisciplinary journal not in Chemistry. It is submitted that challenging the same, the petitioner filed a representation before the Vice Chancellor as per Ext.P5 and the reasons stated in Ext.P6 varies from those stated in Ext.P4.
In Ext.P6 the reason stated is that the two publications submitted by the petitioner are not in the branch of Chemistry, though they are published in a Multidisciplinary journal. Learned counsel for the petitioner also submitted that as regards the publications made by the petitioner, they are in approved journals of the University and particularly a journal concerning Chemistry itself and my attention was invited to Ext.P9 which is a list of Journals of Merit in Chemistry, approved by the Board of Studies in Chemistry (P.G.). It is submitted that both the publications were made in the journal mentioned as serial No.13, viz. "Indian Journal of Environment and Ecoplanning (Soc. Env. Sci).
Therefore, I am satisfied that the publications of the petitioner are in one of the journals listed in Ext.P9. Therefore, the said aspect is in favour of the petitioner.
Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the main reason shown in Ext.P4 was that the publication was in a Multidisciplinary journal and in the light of Ext.P9 the same cannot be accepted. The said aspect is also true as far as the petitioner is concerned. When we come to Ext.P6, what is mentioned is that the two publications are not in the branch of Chemistry. The publications made by the petitioner are produced as Exts.P7 and P8. It is submitted that the petitioner has contributed two more articles in the subject Chemistry itself and the copies of the articles have been produced as Exts.P11 and P12.
One of the points raised by the learned Standing Counsel for the University is that the Ph.D. obtained by the petitioner is not in Chemistry and for that reason also the petitioner cannot be granted the benefit. In fact, the said reason is not the one stated either in Ext.P4 or in Ext.P6. It is well settled that the reasons pointed out in the order impugned, cannot be supplemented by other reasons stated in the counter affidavit. In that view of the mater, the petitioner is entitled to succeed in the writ petition. Exts.P4 and P6 are accordingly quashed. There will be a direction to the Syndicate of the University to reconsider the matter in the light of the various aspects pointed out by the petitioner. The petitioner will forward Exts.P11 and P12 to the University, if not already forwarded, along with a certified copy of this judgment and an appropriate decision will be taken by the Syndicate of the University within a period of two months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment.
The writ petition is allowed as above. No costs.