U.Dinesh Kumar v. Vels Institute of Science

JUDGMENT (Delivered by G.ARUL MURUGAN, J.) The intra-Court appeal assails the order dated 06.10.2025 passed in W.P. No.33286 of 2025, whereby the writ Court rejected the challenge made to the order of the respondent college dated

11.07.2025, removing the appellants from the roll of the college.

¶2Brief facts are that the appellants were studying in the respondent college in the LL.B program. A criminal case came to be registered in Crime No.518/2025 on 09.07.2025 on the file of F2 Egmore Police Station, Chennai, as against the appellants and another for the offences under Sections 140(2) and 142 of BNS 2023. As per the criminal case registered, the appellants and another are alleged to have kidnapped a student of the respondent college and had demanded a ransom of Rs.2 lakhs. Considering the gravity of the offence registered against the appellants, the respondent college, by an order dated 11.07.2025 expelled the appellants from the institution, removing them from the students roll of the respondent college and they were directed to receive their transfer certificates. Aggrieved by the order expelling the appellants from the respondent college, the appellants preferred the writ petition.

¶3The writ Court, finding that the case registered is in respect of kidnapping a student, whereby a grave offence has been committed, which is under investigation, and being a clear violation of the code of conduct of the respondent college, has dismissed the writ petition. Aggrieved, the appellants have preferred the above appeal.

¶4Learned counsel appearing for the appellants contended that mere registration of an FIR would not be sufficient to pass the extreme order of expulsion and the respondent college ought to have referred the issue to the Committee for conducting an inquiry and only pursuant to the report of the Committee, any decision could have been taken by the respondent college.

¶5He further submitted that the learned Judge had erroneously held that merely because the students are involved in a criminal case, they would be liable to be expelled from the respondent college. Further, the order of expulsion has been passed without affording any opportunity. The said fact was not considered by the writ Court and, therefore, seeks indulgence of this Court.

¶6Per contra, learned counsel appearing for the respondent college submitted that when the appellants got themselves involved in a heinous crime, that too, kidnapping a student of the respondent college, which was widely reported bringing adverse publicity to the institution, the respondent college was bound to act immediately in the interest of the institution and its students.

¶7He further submitted that the code of conduct of the college authorizes imposing the punishment of expulsion if the student involves in any of the misconducts, even in any activity, off the campus affecting the institution's interest and the students safety, which was taken note of by the writ Court, which rightly dismissed the petition.

¶8Heard the rival submissions and considered the materials available on record.

¶9It is not in dispute that a case in Crime No.518/2025 came to be registered by F2 Egmore Police Station against the appellants and another for the offences under Sections 140(2) and 142 of BNS, 2023, on the complaint that they have kidnapped one Mohammed Rafiq, student of the respondent college and demanded a ransom of Rs.2 lakhs to release him. From the FIR registered against the appellants, it is evident that the case has been registered for having involved in a heinous crime of kidnapping.

¶10The code of conduct and ethics for students of the respondent college, particularly, Clause 3.3, mandates that all students must uphold academic integrity, respect all persons and their rights and property and others' safety, etc. Clause 3.4 also states that the students must deter from indulging in any and all forms of misconduct, including partaking in any activity off-campus which can affect the university's interests and reputation substantially. Misconduct also includes intentional damage or destroying university property or property of other students and faculty members, and even involving in any form of harassment. Further, the code of conduct permits the university to expel the student permanently.

¶11Immediately, on the registration of the crime against the appellants and another, particularly, involving kidnapping of a

co-student of the respondent college itself, it is the duty of the respondent college to take action and ensure a free and conducive environment for the students to undergo the course. The students cannot attend college courses in a state of limbo and fear. In view of the crime registered against the appellants for indulging in kidnapping a student, the respondent college considering the gravity of the misconduct, had, by order dated 11.07.2025, expelled the appellants and directed them to receive their transfer certificates.

¶12When the appellants are undergoing the course in a college, they are expected to behave and conduct themselves as students, and they cannot indulge in any criminal activities affecting the morale of the other students and the interest of the college in imparting education. When undergoing the course, if the appellants had indulged in the act of kidnapping another student and demanded a ransom, in view of the gravity of the offence, nothing remains to be enquired by a Committee, when the code of conduct permits expulsion.

¶13In such circumstances, we do not find any error or infirmity in the order of the writ Court warranting interference. Accordingly, writ appeal stands dismissed. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, interim application stands closed. (SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CJ) (G.ARUL MURUGAN,J)

06.07.2026 Index : : gya W.A.No.632,of,2026 THE,HON'BLE,CHIEF,JUSTICE ,,,,AND ,G.ARUL,MURUGAN,,J., gya ,W.A.No.632,of,2026 ,,,,,

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 06.07.2026 CORAM : THE HONOURABLE MR. SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN AND C.M.P.No.6002 of 2026 1. U.Dinesh Kumar S/o. Udhaya Suriyan, No.1/20, North Street, Sirugudi - 624402, Natham Taluk, Dindigul District 2. Absar Ali.M S/o. Mohammed Gani 83/92, Seventhi Street Highways Colony, Subramaniapuram, Trichy-620 020 Appellant(s) Vs Vels Institute of Science Technology and Advanced Studies (VISTAS) Rep. by its Registrar, Velan Nagar, Pallavaram, Chennai - 600 117 Respondent(s) PRAYER: Appeal filed under Clause 15 of the Letters Patent to set aside the order dated 06.10.2025 passed by the learned Single Judge in W.P.No.33286 of 2025 and the expulsion order dated 11.07.2025 issued by the respondent university and consequently direct the respondent university to permit the appellants to continue their legal education pending further proceedings, without creating any vested right or claiming any equity and subject to the final outcome of the disciplinary proceedings and/or the criminal case. For Appellant(s) : Mr. T.Jeyaram For Respondent(s) : Mr. V.Meenakshi Sundaram