High Court Seeks Delhi University's Response On Plea Against Seat Allocation Pattern In 2022 LLB Admissions

The Delhi High Court has sought response of the Delhi University in a plea against the pattern of seat allocation in admissions to 2022 LLB course and the first admission list published by the varsity on December 10.

The plea has been moved by Riyas Mon K, a candidate belonging to other backward classes (OBC) category who appeared in the Delhi University LLB Entrance Examination 2022.

The plea argues that the seat matrix adopted by the varsity is arbitrary and unlawful as the first admission list has excluded students belonging to reserved categories i.e. OBCs, SCs and STs, albeit obtaining marks above the general cut-off from taking admissions under the open or unreserved category admission list.

The plea thus submits that the seat matrix adopted by the Delhi University prevents reserved category students from competing in the open quota and hinders additional reserved category students from making it to the list.

Justice Vikas Mahajan issued notice on the plea and asked the Delhi University to file its response within two weeks.

"In the meanwhile, any admissions made after today in the LL.B course under the reserved categories, shall be subject to the outcome of the present petition," the court ordered, while listing the matter for hearing next on January 23, 2023.

Filed through Advocates Haris Beeran, Mushtaq Salim, Ranjay N and Azhar Assees, the plea states that the petitioner candidate scored 200 marks out of 400 marks in the entrance exam. It adds that although he is eligible for getting admission under reserved OBC category but was deprived the same due to the impugned seat allocation pattern.

"That the present seat matrix adopted by the Respondent University, which is evident through th_e impugned First Admission List of LLB 2022 is in clear violation of both, the merit based system and reservation system; and warrants a thorough review to ensure· fair allocation of seats to students. This egregious infringement of constitutional rights guaranteed to the reserved category students must be strictly scrutinised," the plea states.

The plea thus prays to call for the records leading to adoption of the seat matrix adopted by the varsity for the 2022 LLB admission.

Apart from quashing of the first admission list, the plea also seeks a direction on the University to publish a fresh admission list.

Title: RIYAS MON K v. UNIVERSITY OF DELHI