The Kerala High Court underscores the principles of judicial discipline, ruling that quasi-judicial bodies cannot appeal decisions setting aside their orders.
In a significant ruling, the Kerala High Court dismissed a writ appeal filed by the Admission Supervisory Committee for Medical Education, emphasizing the principles of judicial discipline. The Division Bench, consisting of Mr. Anil K. Narendran and Mr. Muralee Krishna S., delivered the judgment on January 6, 2026, in the case of Admission Supervisory Committee for Medical Education v. Karthik Dev R. and others.
The case originated from a writ petition filed by Karthik Dev R., who had been granted admission to the BAMS course under the OBC category at Santhigiri Ayurveda Medical College. This admission was later disapproved by the Admission Supervisory Committee, leading to a writ petition challenging the committee's decision. The Single Judge had previously set aside the committee's orders, declaring Karthik Dev R. eligible for admission under the OBC category.
In response, the Admission Supervisory Committee filed a writ appeal, which was contested on the grounds of maintainability. The High Court examined the role of the committee under the Kerala Medical Education (Regulation and Control of Admission to Private Medical Educational Institutions) Act, 2017. The court noted that the committee, being a quasi-judicial body, exercises adjudicatory functions and is not an aggrieved party entitled to challenge decisions of higher judicial forums.
The court highlighted that allowing quasi-judicial authorities to appeal against orders setting aside their decisions would undermine judicial discipline and create anomalous situations. The judgment reaffirmed that the Admission Supervisory Committee, though a proper party to the writ petition, cannot appeal against an adverse judgment as it is not the aggrieved party. The court further pointed out that the statutory remedy for aggrieved persons is to challenge such decisions before the High Court within 30 days, as provided under Section 12 of the Act.
The High Court's ruling serves as a reminder of the principles of judicial discipline and the limitations on quasi-judicial bodies in challenging higher judicial orders. This decision reinforces the importance of maintaining the hierarchy and respect for judicial decisions in the legal system.
Bottom Line:
Maintainability of writ appeal by quasi-judicial authority - Admission Supervisory Committee, being a quasi-judicial body under Kerala Medical Education Act, 2017, cannot challenge the judgment of the Single Judge setting aside its orders as it undermines principles of judicial discipline.
Statutory provision(s): Kerala Medical Education (Regulation and Control of Admission to Private Medical Educational Institutions) Act, 2017 Sections 3, 8, 12, and 13
