WP/16710/2026 of Gopika Princy Vs The State of Telangana on 10 June 2026

1. Gopika Princy, D/o Gopika Bhaskar, Aged. 24, (Student Roll No 21835A6203), F/o, 5-'102, Yacharam Ranga Reddy District,Telangana 501509.

2. Rahul Malluri, S/o Bikshapathi, Aged.23, (Student Roll No 2183140306), F/o, 12-99, SR Nagar, Enumamula, Warangal,Telangana 506006.

3. Chittimelli Vamshi, S/o Prem Kumar, Aged. 22, (Student Roll No 22835A0315), RJo, 3-2-57 lA,Shergalli, Kamareddy,Telangana, 5031'1 1

4. Shaik Ashfaaq Ali,, S/o B. Mastan Sahab, Aged. 22, (Student Roll No 2283540345), R/o, 17-1-375145, Khalender Nagar, Santosh Nager, Hyderabad,Telangana 500058

5. Kethavath Sindhu, D/o Kethavath Mothilal, Aged. 23, (Student Roll No 21835A0124), R/o, 2-2O, Syed Malkapur Thanda, Parigi, Vikarabad Telangana 501501 .

6. P. Kowshik Reddy, S/o P. Raj Kumar Reddy, Aged. 23, (Student Roll No 20831A0351), Fi/o, H.No. 277, Agriculture Colony, Hasthinapuram, Hyderabad, Telangana 500079.

7. S. Dheeraj, S/o S. Jaya Krishna, Aged. 23, (Student Roll No 2083140358), R/o, Plot No 24, Road No 3, Lecturers Colony, Hayathnagar, Hyderabad, Telangana 501505

8. Boroju Adithya,, S/o Boroju Balachandram, Aged. 23, (Student Roll No 20831A0312), Rl/o, H.No. 12-53, Opp. Hanuma Temple, Big Bazaar, Domakonda,Kamareddy District, Telangana 503123.

9. Siripuram Pradeep, S/o Siripuram Appala Naidu, Aged. 23, (Student Roll No 21831AO312), R/o, 8-34, Sai Nagar Colony, Balapur Village, Balapur Mandal, Ranga Reddy Dist, Telangana- 5OOOO5 l0.Bhutharaju Eshwar, Sio Bhutharaju Devaiah, Aged.23, (Student Rolt No 21. 2183140110), R/o,H.No 3-11t4, DVK Road, Near GM Goud Functionat Nalgonda District, Telangana 50800.1

11. Shaik Abdul Rahman, S/o Shaik Hussain, Aged. 23, (Student Roll No22. 21831A1252), R/o,H.No 9-10-214, Mailapally, Nizamabad, Tetangana 503001. '12. Raviteja Thotakura, S/o Anjaneyulu Thotakuri, Aged. 24, (Student Roll No 21831A0314), Fl/o, Thaltasingaram Village, Choutuppat Mandal, yadadri District ,Telang ana 508252

13. V. Venu Madhav,, S/o V. Srinivas, Aged.24, (Student Rolt No 20831 A0364), No,4-487, Prem Nagar, New Hafeezpet, Hyderabad, Telangana 500049.25. '14. l(aki Gowthami, Dio Kaki Venkat Swamy, Aged. 23, (Student Roll No 2183540506), No, 7-9711, Kongara Kalan(V), lbrahimpatnam(M), Ranga Reddy District, Telangana 501506 'l5.Dokuru Bhanu Prasad, S/o Dokuru Raju, Aged. 23, (Student Roll No. 2083140530), Rt/o, 1-4, Chakrapur, Moosapet, Mahabubnagar, Telangana 509380 l6.Katravath Sachin Naik, S/o Kishan Naik, Aged. 22, (Student Roll No 2183540332), Fl/o, 4-81 , Ryatagutta Thanda, Doultrabad, Kodangal, Vikarabad, Telangana - 509336

17. Bolla Saisrinivas, S/o Balla prabhakar, Aged. 23, (Student Roll No 21 835A0308), N o, 2-81 1, yerkaram, Suryapet District Telangana 508376.

18. Darshanala sanjeev Kumar, s/o Darshanara Ananthaiah, Aged. 23 (Student Roll No 2183540320), R/o, H.No 2-5511, Har4anwada Street, Antharam Village, Shabad Mandal, Ranga Reddy District 509217.

19. Devarakonda Akhila, D/o Devarakonda Anjaiah, Aged. 24, (Student Roll No 21835A0321), R/o, 1-23t2, Konetipuram(Vtg), Vangoo(M), Nagar Kurnool(Dist) Telangana 509349

20. Mamidi Harish Reddy, S/o Mamidi Siddi Reddy, Aged.23, (Student Rolt No 2083140344), R/o, 1-901111 , Maltikajuna Nagai, Boduppal ,Telangana 500039. 21 . Aruri Swathi, D/o Aruri Narsing Rao, Aged. 23, (Student Roll No 20831A0508), R/o,H,No10-3-109/25 , East Marredpaily, Secunderabad,Telanga na 500026

22. E. Vinitha, D/o E. llaiah, Aged.23, (Student Roll No 21835A0503), R/o, H.No. 2-47, Vlll. Velichala, Mdl. Ramadugu, Dist. Karimnagar,Tetangana 505531

23. Kadari Srinu, S/o Kadari Ramachandraiah, Aged. 24, (Student Roll No 21835A0505), P.Jo.2-81 , Kambalapally Village, Mandal Chandampet, District Nalgonda,Telangana 508248

24.8. Abhinav, S/o B. Bikshapathi, Aged.23, (Student Roll No 20831A0511), Rr/o, HNo.22-463 FlP, Road No. B, Vinayaka Hills, Tirumala Nagar, Vignanapuri Teachers Colony, B.N Reddy Nagar, Hyderabad, Almasguda, Telangana 500070.

25. D. Shilpa Rani, S/o D. Hanumanth Reddy, Aged.23, (Student Roll No 20831A0531), R/o ,H.No 2-30, Cherlaitikyala, Tadoor, Nagarkurnool Telangana 509209

26. Chekumalli Sumasree, D/o Cherukumalli Venkateswarlu, Aged. 24, (Student Roll No 20831A0528), Fl/o, H.No. 4-12, Palha Kacharam Village, KonUerla Mandal, Khammam Diskict, Telangana - 507305 2T.Chiluka Naresh, S/o Chiluka Srinivas, Aged. 23, (Student Roll No 2283546202), F/o, 1-4, Pyaramur, Sarangapur, Nirmal, Telangana 504306

28. Amani Eshwar, S/o Amani Venkateshwarlu, Aged. 25, (Student Roll No 2083140505), Fl/o, 403, MKV Arcade, Manneguda, Rangareddy, Telangana - 501510

29. Boini Bhanu Teja, S/o Boini Gopal, Aged.24, (Student Roll No 20831A0518), R/o, HNO 9-29, BD Colony, Court Line, Gajwel, Siddipet District, Telangana - 502278

30. Duggimpudi Dheeraj Reddy, S/o Duggimpudi Chinnapareddy, Aged. 22, (Student Roll No 20831A0534), R/o, House No. 3-4-1121C13, Sai Chitra Naga Lane 2, Ramanthapur -Telangana 500013 3l.Bonthala Tharun Patel, S/o Bonthala Ashok, Aged.23, (Student Roll No 20831A0520), R/o, 6-55/1, Chinthagutta, Shankarapattanam, Karimnagar, Telangana - 505474

32. D. Ramesh, S/o D. Yadaiah, Aged.23, (Student Roll No 2083140532), R/o,4- 39, Madina Masjid, Rajapur, Mahabubnagar, Telangana 509202

33. Naidu Gopi, Sio Naidu Lakshmaiah, Aged. 23, (Student Roll No 2083140142), No, 7-21 , Raghunadhapalem Village, Mattampally Mandal, Suryapet District,Telanga na 508204

34. Dharavath Venkanna, S/o Dharavath Hachya, Aged. 24, (Student Roll No 2183140117), No,3-3714, ST Colony, Substation Thanda, Kesamudram Mdl, Dhannasari Vlll, Mahabubabad District, Telangana 5061 12.

35. Kokku Vyshnavi, D/o Kokku Venkanna, Aged. 24, (Student Roll No 2083140338), Ri/o,Flat No.104,R.No 1, BN Reddy, Vanasthali Puram ,R. R. District,Telangana 500070.

36. Thatikonda Vishwanath, S/o Thatikonda Laxminarayana, Aged. 24, (Student Roll No 20831A05G8), FJo, 9-12, Laxmi Nagar, Ratnapur, Peddapalli, Telangana -505212

37. Vemula Nayya, D/o Vemula Sriramulu, Aged. 24, (Student Roll No 20831405H3), Rl/o, H.No. 2-33, Koilsagar, Devarakadra, Mahabubnagar, Telangana - 509204

38. Somidi Shashidhar, S/o Somidi Shankar, Aged. 23, (Student Roll No 20831A05G0), R/o, 5-2-168, lndranagar.Metpally, Jagital,Telangana 505325.

39. Yanamasu Vasantha, D/o Yarramasu Babu, Aged. 23, (Student Roll No 20831A05H6, R/o, 8-1 'l , Sudarshan Nivas, Madhura Puri Nagar, Govytham Nagar, Road No 4

40. Sumayya Sultana, D/o Shaik Mohsin, Aged.23, (Student Roll No 20831A05G3), Ri/o, 1-9-163/1/D, Venkat Rao Nagar Colony, Narayankhed, Telangana 41 .Sadula Chandeshwar, S/o Sadula Bikshapathi, Aged. 23, (Student Roll No 20831A05E7), R/o, 8-89/3, Madhura Nagar Colony, Raidurg Darga, Khajaguda X-Road, Hyderabad, Telangana - 500032

42, Pochammala Hamsini, , D/o Pochammala llaiah, Aged. 24, (Student Roll No 20831 A05D2), Rl/o, 6-54, Durgamma Basthi, Ramayarnpet, Medak,Telangana 502101

43. Pilly Sairaj, S/o Pilly Shyam Kumar, Aged. 24, (Student Roll No 20831A05D1), No, 2-2-23182, Ambedkar Colony, Mahabubabad Dist, Telangana - 506 101

44. Parupati Nikhitha, D/o Parupati Rajender, Aged. 23, (Student Roll No 21 835 46204), N o, 7 -43, I nug urthy, Mahabubabad, Telangana 5061 1 2

45. Singireddy Nithin, S/o Singireddy Srinivas Reddy, Aged. 23, (Student Roll No 20831A0357), R/o, H.No 1-60, Reddy Colony, Angrajpally(V), Chennur(M), Mancherial(D), Telangana(S), 504201

46. Shashank Kondur, S/o Kondur Ashok, Aged. 23, (Student Roll No 20831A05F7), No, 5-6312, Boigally, Bheemgal, Nizamabad ,Telangana - 503307.

47. Adulla Shivendar, S/o A.Saidulu, Aged 23,9 Student Roll No 21 831A0102),Ryo 6-23, SC colony,Nampally,Hyderabad,Telangana 500001.

48. Dhanam Sa Vivek, S/o D.Laxman ,Aged 23,Student Roll No.21831A01 15) R/o H.No 3-5211 ,Thorthi Village,Yergatla Mandal, Nizamabad District , Telangana 503225

49. Kethavath Vinayak, S/o K.Mohan Kumar, Aged 23 (Student Roll No.21831A0126),Fyo H.No 18-2-197/13,RNB colony, Falaknuma Hyderabad, Telangana 500053

50. Janapathi Manideep, S/o J. Sita Rama Rao , Aged 23,(Student Roll No 2183540330), Rl/o, H.No2-25,Damaracherla Mandal ,Nalgonda District,Telangana 508355

51. Bathula Nithin Reddy, S/o B.Somi Reddy ,Aged 23,(Student Roll No 20831 4621 1 ), Rl/o H. No 2-1 S5,Tadakamalla,Nalgonda,Telangana

52. Manchikanth Varun Kumar, S/o M.Ravi Kumar, Aged 23,(Student Roll No 20831A6234),R/0 H.No8-7-95T/PllI/TLR Residency, Hastinapuram L.B Nagar ,Hyderabad,Telangana 500079

53. Eeda Chandrashekar, S/o E. Nageshwar Rao,Aged 23, (Student Roll No 20831A6219), R/o H.No 3-1 16/1 ,Ramalayam Street,Sathupally, Khammam District,Telangana 507303

54. Vore Ravi Teja, S/o V.Laxmaiah ,Aged 23, (Student Roll No21835A6206), R/o H.No'1-T6,Rangapoor,Vangaroor,Nagarkarnool,Telangana 509349. (All the Petitioners above from 1- 54 arc students of Guru Nanak Institution of Technology (GNIT), lbrahimpatnam, R.R.District,501506 ) ,..PETIT]ONERS AND 'l . The State of Telangana, Rep by its Chief Secretary, Telangana Secretariat Road, Central Secretariat, Khairtabad, Hyderabad -500004

2. The State of Telangana, Rep by its Principal Secretary, Higher Education Department, Secretariat Road, Central, Secretariat, Khairtabad, Hyderabad 500004

3. Telangana Counsel for Higher Education, Rep by its Chairman Hyderabad, Opposite. Mahavir Hospital Masab tank, Hyderabad-500028

4. The Vice Chancellor, Jawahar Nehru Technological University, Kukatpally, Hyderabad

5. The Guru Nanak lnstitutions (GNIT), Rep by its Chairman and Managing Director H.S.Saini lbrahimpatnam, R. R District, Hyderabad-501 506. ...RESPONDENTS Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of lndia praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed therewith, the High Court may be pleased to issue an appropriate Writ, Order or Direction more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus declaring the action of the Respondents No.5 in withholding the Petitioners original Certificates as illegal, unjust and violation of principles of natural justice and restrain the institution/Colleges from withholding original certificate due to outstanding amounts for the Government or any including unpaid fees and regulations mentioned under Rule 2(F)(6) and Rule.4 issued by UGC notification vide file NI.14-412012(CPP-'1 )in October 2018and Cir. No. JNTUH/DAAA/Students/Fee Reimbursement/2124, Dated 0710312024 an violations issued by Respondent No.4 and AITCE Circular F.No1- 101/DPciAlTcURegulations/2019 dated 2910312019 vide letter dated 5.8.2024 and violation of Artc|e.14,19 and 21 of Constitution of lndia ,Consequently direct the Respondents to issue all the Original Certificates including Long Memo, Study and Conduct Transfer Certificate of SSC, lntermediate. All Semesters Memo, and Bonafide Certificates along Provisional and Consolidated Marks Memos of Engineering are holding with Respondent No.S l.A. NO: 1OF 2026 Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased to direct the Respondent No.5 to release forthwith the Petitioners academic certificates and other related documents including SSC, lntermediate, T.C. and Bonafide Certificates to enable the Petitioners to pursue higher studies and for employment or other competitive examinations. Counsel for the Petitioner: Ms. Y. HARIKA Gounsel forthe Respondent No.1 to 3: SRI VAMSHI KRISHNAYADAV, ASST, GP FOR HIGHER EDUCATION Counsel for the Respondent No.4: SRI PRABHAKAR PERI, SC FOR JNTU Counsel for the Respondent No.5: SRI T.V.V. CHAKRAPANI The Court made the following: ORDER

IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA AT HYDERABAD THE HON'BLE SMT. JUSTICE JUWADI SRIDEVI WRIT PETITION No.'167'10 of 2026 1Oth June 2026 Between: Gopika Princy, D/o Gopika Bhaskar, age 24 years, (Student Roll No.21835,46203), R/o.5-'1 02, Yacharam, Ranga Reddy District, Telangana - 501 509 and 53 students Petitioners AND The State of Telangana, rep by its Chief Secretary, Telangana Secretariat Road, Central Secretariat, Khairtabad Hyderabad - 500 004 and 4 others Respondents

:ORDER:

This Writ Petition is frled seeking the following relief fo issrie an ap7raprtate Wnt Order or Direction mare parlt.Lila,ly ane |t lh-o naLute. o{ Wrl of Mandamus Cec alnc the a)lnti af rcsparilenl Na 5 tn vltthholdng t\e pettitcitets oti(ltnai ceitl Cates as //iegal Ltnjust a1d ,"/Dlaircn of pnncples of nalLtral lustice and restrain tne instttLttrcn/Colleqes from wthholdtng onginal certtficate due b a,ltstatndtng arnoLtnts frcm the Gavernment ar ar.y. tncludtng unpatd fees and regLtlattans mentioned undgr Rule 2(Ft(6) and Ruie 4(Cl /ssried by IJGC no nca on vkte file No 1 4 4/2A1 2ICPP 1 ) ln Octaber 2018 attd Cr Na JN LU H/L)A AA/StLtd.)n[s/l.ce Rembu rsement/202 4 dated 0 /'/03/2A24 arC vialatot)s tssLted by respandel( Na 4 and AITCE Crrcular F.No t- 1 01 /DPG,|AITcE/RegLttattans/211 I dated 29/03/2019 vi1e letter daled 5 8 2024 and violatnn af Afttcles 14. 19 and L1 af Canslitutnn af lndta. Consequently drect the respondents lo /ssr/e a// the anginal Certtficates including Long Memo Study Canduct and Transfer Cerlificate ot SSC /rtermedlale Aii Sc/neslers l,lemo and Bonaficie certiftcales alan,,l wtth prov,stottai a,td cansolidated Marks Men).s af Engtn.e.ttg ii11 cf, .ie ",.tthheld b,/ respondet t l W -P-No-15710 o1 202. No.s and pass such other order or orders as this Coutt deems fit and proper

2. Heard Ms.Y.Harika, learned counsel for the petitioners as well as Mr.Vamshi Krishna Yadav. learned Assistant Government Pleader for Higher Education appearing for respondent Nos.1 to 3, Mr.Prabhakar Peri, learned Standing Counsel for JNTU appearing for respondent No.4 and Mr.T.V.V.Chakarpani, learned counsel for respondent No.5.

3. Case of the petitioners is that the petitioners pursued their Engineering course in respondent No 5 College and upon completion of their studies; they approached the management for return of their original certificates by making several representations. However, respondent No.S refused to return the original certificates of the petitioners on the ground that the fee reimbursement amounts are yet to be released by the Government ofTelangana,theactionsoftherespondentsareinviolationofthe UGC Regulations (File No.14-412O12(CPP-1)' October 2018), AICTE Circular F.No 1-101/DPG/AICTE/Regulations/2019 dated 29.03.2019, and Circular dated 05 08 2024, as well as JNTUH CircularNo'JNTUH/DAAA/Students/FeeReimbursemenll2024 dated 07.03.2 024 and also guidelines issued by the Finance tutrtce tuwodt 5ndevi W.P.No.16710 o12026 (SCSDF & STSDF) Department vide U.O.No 2700860- tug7lscSDF/2024 daled 0609.2024. Hence, the present writ petition

4. Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the Telangana Counsel of Higher Education, vlde LT.No.TSCHE/Fee Reimbursemenll2024. dated 23 02.2024 has directed all the U niversities/Colleges nol to withhold or retain the original certificates of str.rdents and not to insist upon payment of fees from students who are eligible for fee reimbursement

5. Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that due to the illegal retention of origrnal certificates, the petitioners have been deprived of opportunities to pursue higher education, including applying for TS/TG PGSET (2026-2028 Phase-ll), and have suffered irreparable loss and such withholding of original certificates rs illegal. arbitrary, and unjustified, and therefore, the petitioners seeks a direction to respondent No 5 to forthwith return the original certificates

6. The learned counsel for respondent No,5 submits that as per Government policy the scholarship amount. including Tuitton Fee w-P.No-15770 ol 2025 (RTF) and lVlaintenance Allowance (MTF), is directly credited to the students' accounts through the Aadhaar Payment Bridge System (APBS) ln such circumstances, once original certificates are released, recovery of tuition fees becomes impracticable.

7. lt is further submitted that in view of G.O.tr4s.No6 dated OG 0g.2024, the respondent College seeks a direction that 4th year SC students of the academic year 2024-2025 furnish an undertaking to pay the tuition fee either upon receipt of the scholarship or otherwise.

8. The learned counsel submits that the respondent No.5 has no intention to permanently withhold the ce(ificates and is willing to release them, subject to safeguarding its legitimate dues. The certificates were retained only for custodial and administrative purposes.

9. lt is further submitted that the petitioners have suppressed material facts and the Writ Petition is liable to be dismissed. Hence, prayed this Court to dismiss the Writ Petition.

10. Perused the record

lr!.iEllrt,rr!-r*r'-E, tutnce tuwadt sridevi w.P,Na,16710 ol2A26 '11. lt is not in dispute that the petitioners have completed their studies in respondent No 5 College and therr original certificates are in the custody of the said College. A bare perusal of the LT.No TSCHE/Fee Reimbursement/2024. dated 23.02.2024 issued by the Secretary. lelangana State Council of Higher Education, reveals that specific rnstructions were issued directing all affiliated Private Colleges not to insist upon payment of turtion fees from students who are eligible for the fee reimbursement from the State Government Further. as per the guidelrnes of UGC, no college is entitled to withhold or refuse to return any documents, including degree or diploma certificates or any other awards, deposited with it by students for the purpose of seeking admission

12. The certificates, being personal and academic credentials. are undoubtedly the property of the petitioners. ln such circumstances respondent No 5-College has no authority whatsoever to retain the said certificates and the retention of the petitioners original certificates by respondent No 5 is wholly un;ustrfied and cannot be sustained Even assuming that the College has any monetary claim against the petitioners. withholding their original certificates cannot be adopted as a mode of enforcing

)ustice lvwodi Stid4 W.P.No-16110 ol 2026 such claim. The proper remedy, if any available to the College is to proceed in accordance with law for recovery of its dues and not by depriving the petitioners of their rightful original certificates.

13. For the foregoing discussion, this Writ Petition is allowed, directing respondent No.5 to forthwith return the original certificates of the petitioners to them, within a period of one (1) week, from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No costs. Pending miscellaneous applications, if any, shall stand closed To, /n SD/. K.BHAVANI SWAMY ASSISTANT REGISJSAR / //TRUE COPY/I /a' sEcfloN otsicen

1. The Chief Secretary, The State of Telangana' Telangana Secretariat Road' ' C"ntor S""retariat,khairtabad, Hyderabad -5000-04

2. The Principat secr"taryl-ligndi Edut-ution. De,partment' The..State. of Telangana, Secretariat HoaO," clntrat' Secretariat' Khairtabad' Hyderabad 500004

3. The Chairman, Telangana Counsel for Higher Education' Hyderabad' " Oppo.it". Mahavir ttospitat Masab tank' Hyderabad-500028 4 The Vice chanceilor, J;;;;;; N;hi Technotogical Universitv, Kukatpallv, Hyderabad

5. The Chairman and Managing Director, The Guru Nanak lnstitutions (GNIT)' H.S.Saini lbrahimpatnam, R.n Oistrict' Hyderabad-501506'

6. One CC to Ms. Y. HARIKA, Advocate IOPUC]

i. On" CC to SRI PRABHAKAR PERI, SC FOR JNTU [OPUC]

8. One CC to SRI T.V.V. CHAKRAPANI, Advocate [OPUC]

9. Two CCs to GP FOR HIGHER EDUCATION, High Court for the State of Telangana, at Hyderabad [OUT]

10. Two CD CoPies BN /<\ , (kN(,. \'<./

CC TODAY HIGH COURT DATED: '1010612026

ORDER

WP.No.16710 of 2026 ALLOWING THE WRIT PETITION WITHOUT COSTS rE S IATA: t 12- JUN 2026 .}r .\ * n rl ;-:::::-t-" /t--'l-):riV d o ( tu