Student from Nepal moves HC against denial of admission

Madras High Court today ordered issue of notices to Directorate of Technical Education, Anna University and AICTE on a petition by a student from Nepal against denial of lateral admission to an engineering course in Tamil Nadu on the ground that he was a foreign student and that his diploma from a Nepal varsity could not be recognised.
In his petition, Cheddi Narayan Sharma said he had completed diploma in mechanical engineering last year from Tribhuvan University in Nepal and applied for engineering admission in a college in Tamil Nadu under "Lateral Entry Scheme" available for Diploma-holders.
Alleging that his application was not even considered by the authorities, Sharma said he was informed orally by the officials of the Directorate of Technical Education that he is not eligible for admission either under lateral entry scheme or as a first year student.

Questioning this, Sharma maintained that "while students from India having diploma qualification are eligible for admission under lateral scheme, why he alone should be denied the facility. The blanket denial of admission is contrary to the principles of natural justice and against law".
Finding fault with the officials for having two sets of norms, Sharma in his petition submitted that "officials could not have two sets of norms for Indian students and foreign students, and as a student from a SAARC nation he was entitled to certain privileges promised by the government of India, as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to the country".

He wanted the court to direct the authorities concerned to consider his application for admission to a B.E. Or BTech course in an approved college this year.
Admitting the petition, Justice V Ramasubramanian issued notices to the Directorate of Technical Education, Anna University and All India Council of Technical Education.