Calcutta High Court: In a petition challenging a communication from the Inspector of Colleges of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology, West Bengal, which recommended the non-renewal of affiliation for Calcutta Institute of Science and Management (College Code-299) for the academic year 2023-2024, a single-judge bench comprising of Kausik Chanda, J., held the University is estopped from raising the issue of lease deed violation as it had allowed the petitioners to operate the non-AICTE college for almost two decades with full knowledge of the lease conditions. The Court held that decision to impose “non-admission” status is liable to be set aside, and directed the University to renew affiliation for the academic year 2023-2024.
Factual Matrix
In the instant matter, the State granted a lease of approximately 5.08 acres of land to the petitioners for setting up a Degree Engineering college in 2002. Clause 12 of the lease deed prohibited the use of the land for any purpose other than the one for which it was leased. The University granted affiliation to the petitioners’ College for various courses, including non-AICTE courses, and issued distinct codes for AICTE and non-AICTE courses. In 2022, the University directed the petitioners to change the name of the non-AICTE College to “Calcutta Institute of Science and Management” to avoid confusion. The University granted affiliation for the academic year 2022-2023 to the renamed college.
The dispute arose from a complaint alleging that the non-AICTE college was established in violation of the use of land conditions specified in a government lease deed dated 30-04-2002, granted to the petitioners for setting up a Degree Engineering college.
The petitioners challenged a communication dated 22-06-2023, from the Inspector of Colleges of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology, West Bengal. The communication informed the petitioners of the University’s recommendation for the non-renewal of affiliation for the academic year 2023-2024 based on a hearing held on 13-06-2023.
Moot Point
-
Whether the University’s decision to impose “non-admission” status and refuse affiliation for the non-AICTE college is justified?
-
Whether the University is estopped from raising the issue of violation of the lease deed conditions?
Parties’ Contentions
The petitioner argued that the University had recognized and allowed the operation of both AICTE and non-AICTE colleges on the leased land for nearly two decades, implying active assent. The respondent argued that the lease deed’s preamble indicated the petitioners’ intent to set up a Degree Engineering college, and the “non-admission” status was not punitive but contingent on changing lease conditions.
Court’s Assessment
The Court invoked the principle of estoppel, preventing the University from asserting a violation of the lease deed conditions after having allowed the petitioners to run the non-AICTE college for about two decades with full knowledge of the conditions and held that the University is estopped from raising the issue of lease condition violation.
The Court referenced the relevant clause in the lease deed, highlighting that only the State could initiate ejectment proceedings for lease breaches. The court emphasised that the State, not the University, held the prerogative to initiate ejectment proceedings for breach or non-observance of the lease deed conditions. Since the State did not assert any violation, the University had no basis to decline affiliation on that ground.
The Court emphasised the University’s knowledge of the lease conditions since 2003 and its lack of objection to the non-AICTE college’s operation. The Court concluded that the University’s prior actions and knowledge induced a reasonable belief in the petitioners that it consented to the operation of the non-AICTE college, and therefore, the decision to impose “non-admission” status was unsustainable.
Court’s Decision
The Court allowed W.P.A. No.15859 of 2023, setting aside the University’s decision and directing the renewal of affiliation for Calcutta Institute of Science and Management (College Code-299) for the academic year 2023-2024.
[Calcutta Institute of Engineering and Management Society v. State of W.B., 2023 SCC OnLine Cal 5093, order dated 15-12-2023]
*Judgment by Justice Kausik Chanda
Advocates who appeared in this case :
Mr. Abhratosh Majumdar, Mr. Nilotpal Chatterjee, Mr. Samim Ahammed, Mr. Arka Maiti, Ms. Gulsanwara Parvin, Counsel for the Petitioners
Mr. Santanu Kr. Mitra, Mr. Amartya Pal, Counsel for the State
Ms. Nandini Mitra, Mr. Sakya Maity, Counsel for the University
