CWP-26420 CWP-8247- IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA (223) 1. CWP-26420 Bikramjit Singh a Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 2. CWP-8247 Bikramjit Singh and others Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar and others CORAM: Present: KULDEEP TIWARI 1. and therefore, with the consent of learned counsel for the parties, the same are 26420-2018 (O&M) and -2021 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH 26420-2018 (O&M) Bikramjit Singh and others Versus Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar and other 8247-2021 Bikramjit Singh and others Versus Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar and others HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE KULDEEP TIWARI Mr. K.S. Sidhu, Sr. Advocate with Mr. G.S. Benipal, Advocate and Mr. Kartik Bansal, Advocate for the petitioner(s) in both the cases. Mr. M.K. Dogra, Advocate for respondents No.1, 2, 4 and 5 in CWP for respondents No.1 to 3 in CWP Mr. Ritam Singh, Advocate for Mr. Salil Sabhlok, Advocate for respondent No.3 in CWP-26420 for respondent No.4 in CWP-8247 *** KULDEEP TIWARI, J.(ORAL) Both the instant petition(s) are amenable to be decided together, and therefore, with the consent of learned counsel for the parties, the same are 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Date of Decision : 16.07.2026 ...Petitioners Versus and others ...Respondents ...Petitioners Versus Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar and others ...Respondents KULDEEP TIWARI Mr. K.S. Sidhu, Sr. Advocate with G.S. Benipal, Advocate and for the petitioner(s) in both the cases. for respondents No.1, 2, 4 and 5 in CWP-26420-2018 and for respondents No.1 to 3 in CWP-8247-2021. Mr. Ritam Singh, Advocate for 26420-2018 and 8247-2021-UGC. the instant petition(s) are amenable to be decided together, and therefore, with the consent of learned counsel for the parties, the same are s s the instant petition(s) are amenable to be decided together, and therefore, with the consent of learned counsel for the parties, the same are MANPREET SINGH 2026.07.20 10:15 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment CWP-26420 CWP-8247- being taken up together for adjudication. 2. CWP-26420 3. 23.05.2018 (Annexure P Nanak Dev University, Amritsar (respondent No.4) Director, Centre of Studies in Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, enhanced amount of scholarship granted to them, w.e.f. 01.04.2017 to 30.04.2018, receipt, thereof preferred the instant petition(s) 4. seeking clarification from the University Grants Commission (UGC) respondent/University, resolution No.1 each Senior and thereupon, on the basis of the decision of the Syndicate respondent/University Rs.28,000/-, vide order dated 08.06.2017 5. the qualification for the post of JRF/Project Fellows duly qualified specifically, i with the instant writ petition as Annexure P the Syndicate 26420-2018 (O&M) and -2021 being taken up together for adjudication. For the sake of convenience, the facts are being taken up from 26420-2018. Through the instant petition, challenge is put to the order dated 23.05.2018 (Annexure P-10), wherethrough, the Assistant Registrar, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar (respondent No.4) Director, Centre of Studies in Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Guru Nanak Dev , Amritsar, that Research Fellows be instructed to deposit the enhanced amount of scholarship granted to them, w.e.f. 01.04.2017 to 30.04.2018, as per the list attached, in the University account, against , thereof. This caused grievance to the petitioner(s), and they have preferred the instant petition(s), challenging the legality of the order (supra) Learned senior counsel for the seeking clarification from the University Grants Commission (UGC) respondent/University, in its meeting of Syndicate, held on 20.0 resolution No.12, granted the enhanced amount of Rs.28,000/ enior Research Fellows, i.e. petitioners No.1 to 7, w.e.f. and thereupon, on the basis of the decision of the Syndicate respondent/University, they were granted the revised fellowship amount of , vide order dated 08.06.2017 (Annexure P He has also placed reliance upon Annexure P the qualification for the post of JRF/Project Fellows duly qualified, and therefore, they are entitled to the enhanced fellowship, specifically, in view of the public notice issued by the UGC, which is annexed with the instant writ petition as Annexure P the Syndicate, without serving a show cause notice, and without affording any 2 convenience, the facts are being taken up from Through the instant petition, challenge is put to the order dated , wherethrough, the Assistant Registrar, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar (respondent No.4), has requested the Director, Centre of Studies in Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Guru Nanak Dev that Research Fellows be instructed to deposit the enhanced amount of scholarship granted to them, w.e.f. 01.04.2017 to in the University account, against a valid This caused grievance to the petitioner(s), and they have , challenging the legality of the order (supra). Learned senior counsel for the petitioner(s), submits that upon seeking clarification from the University Grants Commission (UGC), the in its meeting of Syndicate, held on 20.02.2017, vide , granted the enhanced amount of Rs.28,000/- per month, to Research Fellows, i.e. petitioners No.1 to 7, w.e.f. 01.04.2017, and thereupon, on the basis of the decision of the Syndicate , they were granted the revised fellowship amount of (Annexure P-8). He has also placed reliance upon Annexure P-2, which prescribes the qualification for the post of JRF/Project Fellows, to submit that they are and therefore, they are entitled to the enhanced fellowship, n view of the public notice issued by the UGC, which is annexed with the instant writ petition as Annexure P-5. He further submits thereupon, show cause notice, and without affording any convenience, the facts are being taken up from Through the instant petition, challenge is put to the order dated , wherethrough, the Assistant Registrar, Guru has requested the Director, Centre of Studies in Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Guru Nanak Dev that Research Fellows be instructed to deposit the enhanced amount of scholarship granted to them, w.e.f. 01.04.2017 to valid This caused grievance to the petitioner(s), and they have . petitioner(s), submits that upon the .2017, vide per month, to 01.04.2017, of , they were granted the revised fellowship amount of 2, which prescribes , to submit that they are and therefore, they are entitled to the enhanced fellowship, n view of the public notice issued by the UGC, which is annexed He further submits thereupon, show cause notice, and without affording any MANPREET SINGH 2026.07.20 10:15 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment CWP-26420 CWP-8247- opportunity to the petitioner(s) fellowship amount, and further directed to deposit the said amount with the University, concerned. 6. Mr. Dogra, learned counsel representing whether, before effecting recovery, or withdrawing the enhanced fellowship amount, any show cause notice or an petitioner(s) 7. opinion that on account of procedural error, the reduction in the fellowship amount, and violation of the order dated 23.05.2018 (Annexure P 8. to take an ap and thereupon, giving them an opportunity of hearing, to establish as to whether, they are entitled 9. disposed of 10. 11. numbered above. July 16, 2026 Manpreet 26420-2018 (O&M) and -2021 opportunity to the petitioner(s), took a decision to withdraw the enhanced fellowship amount, and further directed to deposit the said amount with the University, concerned. At the very outset, this Court has put a specific query to Mr. Dogra, learned counsel representing whether, before effecting recovery, or withdrawing the enhanced fellowship amount, any show cause notice or any opportunity of hearing was given to the (s), or not, to which, he fairly answered in negative. In view of the above, at this stage, this Court is of the considered opinion that on account of procedural error, the reduction in the fellowship and the decision to recover the same, is violation of the principles of natural justice. order dated 23.05.2018 (Annexure P-10), is ordered to be However, the respondents/University, is granted an opportunity to take an apt decision after serving a show cause notice to the petitioner(s and thereupon, giving them an opportunity of hearing, to establish as to they are entitled for enhanced fellowship, or not. With the aforesaid direction, both the instant petition(s) are disposed of. Pending applications, if any, also Photocopy of this order be placed on the connected case file, as numbered above. 2026 Whether speaking/reasoned Whether reportable 3 ok a decision to withdraw the enhanced fellowship amount, and further directed to deposit the said amount with the , this Court has put a specific query to Mr. Dogra, learned counsel representing the respondents/University, as to whether, before effecting recovery, or withdrawing the enhanced fellowship opportunity of hearing was given to the , or not, to which, he fairly answered in negative. In view of the above, at this stage, this Court is of the considered opinion that on account of procedural error, the reduction in the fellowship decision to recover the same, is entirely illegal, being tural justice. Consequently, the impugned 10), is ordered to be set aside. /University, is granted an opportunity show cause notice to the petitioner(s and thereupon, giving them an opportunity of hearing, to establish as to for enhanced fellowship, or not. , both the instant petition(s) are also stands disposed of. Photocopy of this order be placed on the connected case file, as (KULDEEP TIWARI) JUDGE : Yes/No : Yes/No ok a decision to withdraw the enhanced fellowship amount, and further directed to deposit the said amount with the , this Court has put a specific query to the respondents/University, as to whether, before effecting recovery, or withdrawing the enhanced fellowship opportunity of hearing was given to the In view of the above, at this stage, this Court is of the considered opinion that on account of procedural error, the reduction in the fellowship being in Consequently, the impugned /University, is granted an opportunity show cause notice to the petitioner(s), and thereupon, giving them an opportunity of hearing, to establish as to , both the instant petition(s) are Photocopy of this order be placed on the connected case file, as MANPREET SINGH 2026.07.20 10:15 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment