4-WP-13287-26.doc Sharayu Khot. IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION WRIT PETITION NO. 13287 OF 2026 Mr. Anil Ramdas Patil …Petitioner Versus The State of Maharashtra & Ors. …Respondents ---------- Mr. Kalim Ansari a/w Ms. Kulsum Ansari and Tuba Khan for the Petitioner. Mr. N.C. Walimbe, Addl.GP a/w Ms. Priyanka B. Chavan, AGP for the Respondent-State. Mr. Sameer Khedekar a/w Ms. Mayuri Andhale for the Respondent No. 2. Mr. M.D. Bansode for the Respondent No. 5 - VPM’s TMC Law College. Mr. Rui Rodrigues a/w Mr. Jainendra Seth for the Respondent No. 6 – UGC. ---------- CORAM : R.I. CHAGLA J FIRDOSH P. POONIWALLA, J DATE : 12 October 2026 ORDER : 1. The Writ Petition has been duly amended by joining Respondent No. 6 - University Grant Commission (UGC) as party Respondent. 1/4 SHARAYU PANDURANG KHOT Digitally signed by SHARAYU PANDURANG KHOT Date: 2026.10.13 16:16:26 +0530 4-WP-13287-26.doc 2. Mr. Rui Rodrigues, the learned Counsel appearing for the Respondent No. 6-UGC, on previous date, viz. 7th October 2026 had sought time to take instructions on the applicability of the decision of UCG communicated vide Circular dated 4th March 1997 with respect to the Petitioner. 3. Mr. Rodrigues has referred to the said decision of UGC, wherein it is held that the degrees of the candidates enrolled for the one-time Bachelor's Degree programme, upto the year 1995-96 may be treated as valid. The degree of the candidates declared valid may be treated at par with other degrees of the same university for all purposes including admission to higher degrees and employment. The decision is applicable to all the universities running one-sitting degree courses. 4. Mr. Rodriques submitted that the said decision is self- explanatory and would be applicable to the Petitioner. He also referred to the Memorandum of Marks issued by Kakatiya University on 12th September 1994, which shows that the Petitioner had cleared the B.A. External April, 1994. A Bachelor of Art (External) Degree Certificate has also been issued to the Petitioner on 12th 2/4 4-WP-13287-26.doc March 1998. 5. The Petitioner had applied for admission in the Respondent No. 5 - College, but which was rejected on the ground that the Petitioner had completed a Bachelor of Arts at Kakatiya University in a single sitting and not as per the “10+2+3” pattern. 6. Mr. Bansode, the learned Counsel appearing for the Respondent No. 5 – College, states that there are no seats now available in the Respondent No. 5 - College to which the Petitioner may be granted admission, and there are only EWS seats, which remain vacant. The Petitioner admittedly does not fit in the EWS category. 7. Accordingly, it is open for the Petitioner to obtain admission in another MAH-CET Law College based upon recognition of the Bachelor of Arts at Kakatiya University in a single sitting (one year), as per the decision communicated vide Circular dated 4th March 1997 issued by UGC. 3/4 4-WP-13287-26.doc 8. The Writ Petition is accordingly disposed of in the above terms. There shall be no order as to costs. [FIRDOSH P. POONIWALLA, J.] [R.I. CHAGLA J.] 4/4