HC asks UGC to look into Karnataka State Open University recognition

In a relief to the Karnataka State Open University (KSOU), the High Court on Monday asked the UGC to take a decision on the application submitted by the KSOU through online seeking recognition for the year 2018-19, expeditiously and in accordance with law.

However, the court kept in abeyance the operation and effect of the order of the single bench which directed the UGC to grant recognition to the varsity to offer in-house non-technical courses for the academic year 2017-18, until final disposal of appeal.

A division bench of Chief Justice Dinesh Maheshwari and Justice P S Dinesh Kumar passed this interim order after hearing the appeal filed by the UGC against the order of single judge order dated December 12, 2017.

While allowing the petition filed by the KSOU, the single judge had directed the UGC to grant recognition to the open varsity for 2017-18 to offer in-house non-technical programmes within two weeks.

"So far as the present appeal is concerned, having regard to the circumstances, it is considered appropriate to take up the matter for hearing at an early date, while keeping in abeyance the operation and effect of the order impugned until final disposal of appeal. This appeal is posted for hearing on June 11, 2018," the court said.

During the hearing, the counsel of the UGC submitted that though the direction of Single Judge in the order impugned, for granting recognition to the KSOU for the academic year 2017-18, is being questioned in this appeal, the KSOU has made online application for recognition for the academic year 2018-19 and the said application is under process.

The counsel further submitted that the UGC shall take objective decision on such an application for the academic year 2018-19, irrespective of the pendency of this litigation and irrespective of the fact that recognition for the previous year, 2017-18, was not accorded to the University.