Serial No.03 Regular List HIGH COURT OF MEGHALAYA AT SHILLONG WP (C) No. 196 of 2014 Date of Order: 01.07.2026 1. Mr.Yangam Konyak Aged about 24 years, Resident of Demthring House, Shillong, East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya. 2. Ms. S. Moivau Phom Aged about 23 years, Resident of Laitumkhrah, Shillong, East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya. 3. Miss. Pursenla Jamir, Aged about 23 years Resident of Happy Valley, Shillong, East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya. 4. Miss. Sonchila S. Chang Aged about 24 years Resident of Laitumkhrah, Shillong, East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya. 5. Miss. W. Noangsenti Aged about 24 years Resident of Laitumkhrah, Shillong, East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya. 6. Miss.Tiarenla Aged about 24 years Resident of Laitumkhrah, Shillong, East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya. 2026:MLHC:647 7. Mr. L. Alemtoba Aged about 23 years Resident of Upper Nongthyymai, Shillong, East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya. 8. Miss, Jyoti Bhal Aged about 30 years Resident of Bishop Cotton Raod, Shillong, East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya. 9. Miss. Wangkhon Wangsa Aged about 23 years Resident of Laitumkhrah, Shillong, East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya. 10. Mr. Phungpila K. Sangtam Aged about 23 years Resident of Upper Nongthyymai, Shillong, East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya. 11. Mr. Velvo Tunyi Aged about 23 years Resident of Lower Nongthymmai, Shillong, East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya 12. Mr. N. Mansham Konyak Aged about 24 years Resident of Malki, Shillong, East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya. 13. Miss. Priscilla Mech Aged about 23 yaers Resident of Thankhiti, Shillong, East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya. 14. Miss. Lily Soma Aged about 24 years Resident of Thankhiti, 2026:MLHC:647 Shillong, East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya. 15. Miss. Holika Kiba Aged about 23 years Resident of Thankhiti, Shillong, East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya. 16. Mr. Tiakaba Jamir Aged 25 years Resident of Thankhiti, Shillong, East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya. 17. Mr. Namzim Aged about 24 years, Resident of Khar Malki, Shillong, East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya. 18. Mr. Limayonger Imchen Aged about 25 years, Resident of Motinagar, Shillong, East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya. 19. Ms. Sonam Yangden Aged about 21 years, Resident of Nongrim, Shillong, East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya. 20. Ms. Tshewang Dema Aged about 23 years, Resident of Nongrim, Shillong, East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya. 21. Ms. J. Kenlong aged about 22 yrs r/o Laitumkhrah, Shillong East Khasi Hills District Meghalaya. 22. Ms. Nyonon Konyak, aged about 26 2026:MLHC:647 yrs, r/o Dhankheti Shillong Shillong East Khasi Hills District Meghalaya 23. Ms Tenzing Lhadon Bapu, aged about 25 years, r/0 Laitumkhrah Shillong East Khasi Hills District Meghalaya 24. Ms. Leiki Ladron, aged about 38 years, r/o Laitumkhrah Shillong East Khasi Hills District Meghalaya 25. Ms. J. Ada, aged about 24 years, r/o Nongthymmai Shillong East Khasi Hills District Meghalaya 26. Ms Rita Moriju, aged about 23 years r/o Laban Shillong East Khasi Hills District Meghalaya 27. Ms. K.T. Warkhuhring, aged about 25 years, r/o Nongthymmai, Shillong East Khasi Hills District Meghalaya. 28. Ms. Seema Tamang, aged about 28 years, r/o Clive colony Shillong East Khasi Hills District Meghalaya 29. Ms. Anita Bachung, aged about 25 years, r/o Malki, Shillong East Khasi Hills District Meghalaya .…..Petitioners -VERSUS- 1. State of Meghalaya represented by its Chief Secretary, Government of Meghalaya, Shillong- 793001. 2. The Principal Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Education Department, Shillong. 3. The Commissioner and Secretary Education Department, Government of Meghalaya Shillong 2026:MLHC:647 793001. 4. Under Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya Education Department, Shillong 5. Visitor of the CMJ University through the Principal Secretary to the Hon'ble Governor of Meghalaya, Governor Secretariat, Raj Bhavan Shillong -793001. 6. The CMJ Foundation (Sponsor of the CMJ University) represented by its Secretary, Modrina Mansion, Laitumkhrah Shillong 793003. 7. The CMJ University represented by its Registrar, Modrina Mansion Laitumkhrah, Shillong 793003. 8. Shri. Chandra Mohan Jha, Chancellor, CMJ University Modrina Mansion Laitumkhrah, Shillong 793003. 9. Board of Governor, CMJ University, Modrina Mansion Laitumkhrah, Shillong -793003. 10. Вoard of Management, CМЈ University, Modrina Mansion Laitumkhrah, Shillong -793003. …..Respondents Coram: Hon’ble Mr. Justice B. Bhattacharjee, Judge Appearance: For the Petitioner/Appellant(s) : Mr. H.L. Shangreiso, Sr. Adv. with Mr. W. Khongsni, Adv. For the Respondent(s) : Dr. N. Mozika, Sr. Adv. with Mr. P. Nongbri, Adv. ( R : 1-5) 2026:MLHC:647 Judgment and Order (Oral) Heard Mr. H.L. Shangreiso, learned Senior Counsel assisted by W. Khongsni, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, and also Dr. N. Mozika, learned Senior counsel, assisted by Mr. P. Nongbri, learned counsel appearing for respondent Nos. 1–5. There is no appearance on behalf of respondent Nos. 6–10. This writ petition has been filed claiming compensation for the collection of fees by the respondent CMJ University without any legal competency to do so. The prayer made in the writ petition reads as follows: - “In the premises it is humbly prayed that Your Lordship may be pleased to admit the instant Writ Petition and issue Rule calling upon the Respondents as to why a writ of mandamus should not be issued as to why giving admission to the writ petitioners for Master Degree, B.Com and B.Ed to the writ petitioners for the academic year 2012-13 and 2013- 14 and collecting huge fees thereof by the respondent CMJ University, respondent CMJ Foundation and respondent state without legal competency should not be declared as illegal and unconstitutional and further, please direct the above respondents to award suitable and reasonable compensation to the tune of Rs. 5 lakhs each as permissible under the realm of public law remedy and further pass such order/orders as Your Lordship may deem fit and proper. And for which act of kindness the Writ Petitioners as on duty bound shall every pray.” The CMJ University, which was established by virtue of the CMJ University Act, 2009, came to be dissolved by an order dated 31.03.2014 issued by the Education Department of the State of Meghalaya. The said order of dissolution of the University was subsequently upheld by the Apex Court by its judgment dated 13.02.2025. Pursuant to the decision of the Apex Court, by a notification dated 20.02.2025, the Government of Meghalaya, through the Education 2026:MLHC:647 Department has appointed the Joint Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Education Department as the Administrator of CMJ University. The winding up process of the University was, thereafter, commenced by the Administrator of University and a public notice dated 26.03.2025 was issued inviting claims and objections from all concerned within a period of 30 days from the date of the issue of the notice. It is submitted by the learned Senior counsel representing respondent Nos. 1–5 that the grievances raised by the writ petitioner in this petition can be looked into and taken care of by the Administrator of University. He submitted that the time limit fixed in the notification can be relaxed and extended for the petitioners, as they approached this Court with the instant writ petition before the public notice dated 26.03.2025 was issued. The learned Senior counsel appearing for the petitioners has opposed the submission made by the learned Senior counsel for respondent Nos. 1–5 and submitted that the petitioners have approached this Court by invoking public law remedy and hence, it would be appropriate for this Court to take a call on the prayer made in the writ petition. He submitted that there are many instances where the Courts have granted relief by ordering payment of compensation in cases involving similar and identical facts. Upon consideration of submissions made by the rival parties, it appears that the suggestion put forward by the learned Senior counsel for the respondent Nos. 1-5, is fair and acceptable as the petitioners will have all the liberty to raise their grievances before the Administrator of University. Even if there is claim for payment of compensation by the petitioners, such claim can be considered and decided by the Administrator. This writ petition, is therefore, disposed of by giving liberty to the petitioners to approach the Administrator of CMJ University within a period of 30 days from today. In the event the petitioners approach the Administrator seeking redressal of their grievances within the period specified above, the Administrator shall decide the matter as expeditiously as possible. 2026:MLHC:647 Needless to say, the petitioners will have liberty to approach the Court, if there still remains any grievance against the decision of the Administrator. With the above, this writ petition stands closed. No costs. Judge Meghalaya 01.07.2026 Abhinandan, P.S 2026:MLHC:647 Digitally signed by ABHINANDAN KUMAR Date: 2026.07.01 17:56:00 IST