HC directs inspection of PU colleges

 The High Court on Wednesday directed the Department of Higher Education (PUC) to visit all the PU colleges in the State and check whether they have recognition and comply with the Karnataka Pre-University Education (Academic, registration, Administration and Grant in-aid etc) Rules 2006 (PUE Rules).

Y Nagaraju and others had moved the High Court against Chetana Educational Trust, which runs 22 pre-university colleges across the State, claiming that these colleges had no recognition, contrary to the claims on their websites.

They had also stated that the colleges run by the Trust lack infrastructure as provided by PUE Rules and Karnataka Education Act, 1983.

The petitioners had stated that the department of Higher Education, which was supposed to verify these facts, had failed to do so before granting permission.

When the respondent trust rubbished the allegations of the petitioners as baseless and false a division bench comprising Justices K L Manjunath and S Sujatha directed the Department of Higher Education (PUC), Commissioner, PU Board and others to visit each of the colleges run by the Trust. It also ordered that action should be initiated against the Trust, in case of any violation, within three months.

The bench also directed the PU Board to inspect all the pre-university colleges across the State for similar violations and initiate action against errant colleges within six months.

Affidavit sought

The High Court on Wednesday directed the State government to file an affidavit in connection with management of school vehicles and ensuring the safety of children.

Hearing a petition by a city-based advocate N P Amrutesh, the division bench comprising Justice K L Manjunath and Justice S Sujatha directed the regional transport officials, State Education department and the City police to report about the number of school vehicles, their age and whether they have implemented the safety guidelines issued by the State police department as well as the apex court.

The petitioners have pointed out 15 guidelines issued both by the apex court as well as the State government regarding safety measures to be adopted by the vehicles taking children to the schools.

Accordingly, the guidelines of the Supreme Court include fixing speed governor, strict implementation of number of seats for children.

Those issued by the City Police Commissioner after the recent incidents of sexual abuse of children in some of the schools in the City include installation of CCTVs.
During the hearing, the State government sought time to file an affidavit and the bench orally directed to file the affidavit within two weeks.

Jaya case

The High Court special bench constituted to hear the appeal of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalitha, challenging the trial court order sentencing her in the disproportionate assets case, has directed BJP leader Subramanian Swamy to furnish a copy of his impleading application to the prosecution.

Special bench judge, C R Kumaraswamy, on Wednesday directed the counsel for Swamy to furnish a copy to the prosecution as well as to the applicant.

Swamy had sought to implead himself in the matter and assist the prosecution. He had contended that he being a complainant in the matter should be allowed to assist the court.