Karnataka - Bangalore

HC stays closure of study centres

BANGALORE: Thousands of students who had taken up correspondence courses conducted by Bangalore University (BU) heaved a sigh of relief when the Karnataka High Court on Monday stayed a notification by the university ordering the closure of 13 study centres offering courses in distance education.

The Syndicate had taken a decision to close down these centres alleging certain irregularities.

When the matter came up on Wednesday, the university said the action would not affect any student as they were free to enrol directly with the department of Distance Education (Correspondence) housed at Central College or at any other recognised study centre. It urged the court not to pass any interim order as sought for by the petitioners, saying that the last date for enrolment in courses was January 31.

Justice Ashok Hinchigeri, in his interim order, stayed the action of Bangalore University and adjourned hearing on the case.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Cyriac Joseph and Justice B.S. Patil admitted a public interest litigation (PIL) petition by a resident of Bangalore on the usage of Sree Kanteerava Stadium and the Sports Complex in the city. The petitioner, K. Patel Munnegowda, had urged the court to restrain the State and the Department of Youth Services and Sports from earmarking any space or portion of the stadium in favour of any person or commercial institution. The Bench admitted the petition and ordered issue of notices to the State and the Commissioner of Sports and Youth Services. It adjourned hearing in the case.

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