IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ANTONY DOMINIC THURSDAY, THE 10TH JANUARY 2008 / 20TH POUSHA 1929 W.P(C).No. 1252 of 2008(Y) --------------------------------- PETITIONER: -------------- ATUL JOHN (MINOR), AGED 14, S/O. JOHN DEVASSY, CHENATHUPARAMBIL HOUSE, KOODAPUZHA, CHALAKKUDY, REPRESENTED BY HIS MOTHER AND NATURAL GUARDIAN, DAISY JOHN, AGED 42, W/O. JOHN DEVASSY, S/O. JOHN DEVASSY, CHENATHUPARAMBIL HOUSE,KOODAPUZHA, CHALAKKUDY, BY ADV. SRI.P.SANTHOSH (PODUVAL) SMT.R.RAJITHA RESPONDENTS: ----------------- 1. DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, THRISSUR. 2. GENERAL CONVENOR, KERALA SCHOOL KALOLSAVAM 2007-2008. 3. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTIONS, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. BY GOVT. PLEADER, SRI. I.V. PRAMOD THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 10/01/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ANTONY DOMINIC, J. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = W.P.( C) No. 1252 OF 2008 Y = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Dated this the 10th January, 2008 J U D G M E N T Petitioner was a participant in Folk Dance in the District Level Youth Festival and had won the 2nd prize with A grade. It is stated that an appeal was filed and that was also rejected. It is contended that the judges who have assessed the performance were unqualified, and that he performed with an injured leg. It is also stated that the first prize winner had performed with a touch of classical dance which was impermissible. It was also contended that the appeal committee did not grant an opportunity of hearing and thus their decision is vitiated for violation of the principles of natural justice. 2. Govt. Pleader, on instructions, points out that all the judges were from Kalamandalam and they were familiar and competent to assess the performance. Since the judges were from Kalamandalam a reputed organisation I have no reason to think that they were incompetent to assess the performance. That apart, the very fact WPC No. 1252/08 -2- that the petitioner has himself appeared with an injured leg itself could have contributed to his relatively inferior performance. If the performance of the first prize winner was influenced by the classical dance, that would certainly have been appreciated by the judges. Regarding the complaint that the petitioner was not granted an opportunity of hearing, I am not referred to any rule providing for an opportunity. Further in the appeal memorandum an opportunity of hearing was not asked for. In any case, the difference between the petitioner and the first prize winner being 8 marks, I am not persuaded to act upon the grievance of the petitioner. Writ petition fails and is dismissed. ANTONY DOMINIC JUDGE jan/-