BY AD v. SUNNY ZACHARIAH

SRI. SUNIL K.KURIAKOSE, GP THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 09.01.2024, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: WP(C) NO. 42842 OF 2023 -4- JUDGMENT The petitioners say that they participated in an event in the ‘District School Kalolsavam’, but were not awarded the First Rank; thus denying them the opportunity of moving to the next level, namely the ‘State Kalolsavam’, which has now been completed.

2. The petitioners assert that the results of the ‘District Level Kalolsavam’ were egregiously improper and therefore, that they preferred an Appeal before the Statutory Appellate Committee, as is provided under the Manual relating to the ‘Revenue District Kalolsavam’; but that the said Committee has rejected it, through the impugned order, without citing tenable reasons, but on hyper WP(C) NO. 42842 OF 2023 -5- technical grounds.

3. The petitioners, therefore, pray that the impugned order be set aside and that they be allowed to participate in the ‘Kerala State School Kalolsavam’.

4. Hearing the learned counsel for the petitioners in this case, at the time when this matter was considered for admission and adverting to the allegations and assertions made and contentions impelled, this Court passed an interim order, allowing the petitioners to participate in the ‘State Kalolsavam’, however, clarifying that it will only be provisional. It was also made clear in the said order that, if the petitioners are to obtain Rank Nos.1, 2 or 3, same shall be declared only after obtaining orders from this Court. WP(C) NO. 42842 OF 2023 -6-

5. The ‘State School Kalolsavam’ was completed on 08.01.2024 and this Court is now told that the petitioners have not obtained any of the first three ranks; and that all results have been declared, with the Kannur District being adjudged the Cup Winner.

6. Obviously, therefore, all which now remains is to consider whether the petitioners are entitled to the benefit of any grace marks that they may obtain through their performance, pursuant to the interim order of this Court.

7. Though, as I have already said above, the interim order clearly provided that the performance of the petitioners would be provisional, I am of the view that since they have performed, any resultant benefit that can inure to them, ought not to be denied. WP(C) NO. 42842 OF 2023 -7- This is because, the best that the petitioners would obtain is only grace marks, depending upon whether they have obtained ‘A Grade’ or otherwise; and I do not think that it will be justified for this Court to deny that to the contestants, solely for the reason that their Appeal had been dismissed at the ‘Revenue District School Kalolsavam’ level. The interim order by this Court was issued after due thought and finding a prima facie case in favour of the petitioners; but since they have not been able to obtain the first of the three ranks, I am of the firm view that it would not be necessary for this Court to enter into the merits of any other rival contentions.

8. Obviously, therefore, all which this Court has to now do is to confirm the interim WP(C) NO. 42842 OF 2023 -8- order, so that the petitioners would obtain all collateral benefits entitled, based on their performance in the ‘State Level Kalolsavam’. In the afore circumstances, this Writ Petition is disposed of, confirming the interim order granted by this Court earlier and directing the Authorities to grant all benefits that may be entitled to the petitioners, if any, based on their performance, as per law. Sd/- DEVAN RAMACHANDRAN JUDGE WP(C) NO. 42842 OF 2023 -9- APPENDIX OF WP(C) 42842/2023 PETITIONER EXHIBITS EXHIBIT P1 EXHIBIT P-1(A) A TRUE COPY OF THE IDENTITY CARD ISSUED TO THE 1ST PETITIONER FOR THE KERALA SCHOOL KALOLSAVOM-2023, KOLLAM REVENUE DISTRICT FOR THE PERIOD 2023 NOVEMBER 20-24 A TRUE COPY OF THE PARTICIPANT'S CARD FOR 'NADAKAM' FOR THE KERALA SCHOOL KALOLSAVAM 2023-2024, KOLLAM DISTRICT WITH REGISTER NO. 20861 DATED 22.11.2023 EXHIBIT P-2 A TRUE COPY OF THE APPEAL FILED BY THE 1ST PETITIONER EXHIBIT P-2(A) A TRUE COPY OF THE RELATIVE FEE RECEIPT EXHIBIT P-3 A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER REJECTING THE APPEAL DATED 03.12.2022 PASSED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT