Madras High Court
WP/36849/2026 of Gottumukkala V siva Neela Karthikeya Varma Vs The University Grants commission on 28 October 2026
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 28.10.2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE K.SURENDER
W.P.Nos.36849, 36852, 36874, 36877, 42314, 42319, 42334 & 42339 of 2026
and
W.M.P.Nos.41312, 41314, 41316, 41317, 41336, 41337, 41340, 41341, 47545, 47547, 47553, 47555, 47568, 47570, 47573 & 47574 of 2026
CNR:{HCMA012380022026}
W.P.No.36849 of 2026:
Gottumukkala V Siva Neela Karthikeya Varma, S/o.Shri.Surendra Verma, No.302, Seven Horses Apartment, Paramatthi Street, Chinamiran Taluk, West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh-534204.
..Petitioner(s)
Vs
1. The University Grants Commission,
Rep. by its Secretary,
Baladur Shah Zafarmarg,
New Delhi-110002.
2. The Management,
Rep. by its Chancellor,
SRM Institute of Science and Technology, SRM Nagar, Kattankulathur, Chengalpattu -603 203.
3. The Registrar,
SRM Insitute of Science and Technology,
SRM Nagar, Kattankulathur,
Chengalpattu -603 203.
4. The Dean (CET),
SRM Insitute of Science and Technology,
SRM Nagar, Kattankulathur,
Chengalpattu -603 203.
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5. The Inspector of Police,
T9 Police Station,
Maraimalai Nagar, Tambaram.
..Respondent(s)
PRAYER in W.P.No.36852 of 2026: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Certiorari, calling for the records relating to the impugned proceedings in SRMIST/Reg./stu.
tap.7359-Estt/2026/3606 dated 31.08.2026 on the file of the 3rd respondent and quash the same.
For Petitioner(s)
in all petitions:
Mr.B.Manoharan for Mr.S.Mannarsamy
For Respondent(s)
in all petitions:
Ms.B.Sudha for R1 and
Ms.B.Saraswathi for R2 to R4 and
Mr.Durai Gunasekaran,
Government Counsel Criminal Side for R5
COMMON ORDER
All the petitioners herein are students of SRM Institute of Science and Technology, SRM Nagar, Kattankulathur, Chengalpattu, and are pursuing their third and fourth years of Engineering.
2. While the petitioners were at the residential premises of Akshaya Metropolis Club House, on the fourth floor, in front of Flat No.406, they were found to be in possession of 100 grams of Ganja each, totalling 800 grams.
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3. Thereafter, having taken cognizance of FIR in Crime No.473 of 2026 dated 05.08.2026 registered against the petitioners, the college issued expulsion letters dated 31.08.2026.
4. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners would submit that all the petitioners are students and have nothing to do with the alleged offence. In fact, though a crime was registered against the petitioners, no charge sheet has been filed as on date.
5. On the other hand, the learned counsel appearing for the respondents 2 to 4 would submit that there was a contract between the students and the college regarding the maintenance of discipline and other aspects. As such, violation of the terms and conditions of the said contract would not entitle the petitioners to invoke the jurisdiction of this Court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India.
6. It is not in dispute that the FIR was registered. However, the investigation has not been concluded and is still pending. The outcome of the investigation is not known. The college has issued the expulsion letters solely on the basis of the registration of the FIR and the information contained therein. As already stated, the allegations contained in the FIR and the culpability of the petitioners are subject to the outcome of the investigation.
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7. In the said circumstances, as the expulsion letters were issued solely on the basis of the registration of the FIR, this Court deems it appropriate to observe that the expulsion of the petitioners shall be subject to the outcome of the investigation.
8. With the aforesaid observation, all these Writ Petitions are disposed of. Consequently, the connected Writ Miscellaneous Petitions are closed. No costs. 28.10.2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No vv2 To
1. The Secretary, University Grants Commission, Baladur Shah Zafarmarg, New Delhi-110002.
2. The Chancellor, Management, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, SRM Nagar, Kattankulathur, Chengalpattu -603 203.
3. The Registrar, SRM Insitute of Science and Technology, SRM Nagar, Kattankulathur, Chengalpattu -603 203.
4. The Dean (CET), SRM Insitute of Science and Technology, SRM Nagar, Kattankulathur, Chengalpattu -603 203.
5. The Inspector of Police, T9 Police Station, Maraimalai Nagar, Tambaram.
K.SURENDER J. vv2 W.P.Nos.36849, 36852, 36874, 36877, 42314, 42319, 42334 & 42339 of 2026 28.10.2026
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