Interim order against IoE, TU

Kathmandu, August 21

The Supreme Court today issued an interim order against Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University and other defendants for refusing to register an application for enrolment sought by Puja Chaudhary, a resident of Parsa district.

Chaudhary, who ranks 247th in the IoE’s merit list, had filed a writ petition at the SC yesterday. The Interim order was issued by a single bench of Chief Justice Gopal Parajuli.

Chaudhary   stated in her writ that the IoE refused to accept her application for not submitting a copy of her citizenship certificate. Chaudhary is among those children of citizens by birth who are being denied citizenship due to lack of amendment to the Citizenship Act, 2007. She has argued that as per the constitutional provision she qualifies for citizenship by descent as her father is a citizen by birth and her mother a citizen by descent. Advocate Dipendra Jha said as per the court order, the IoE would have to enrol Chaudhary in the BE class.

Chaudhary   stated in her writ petition that when the IoE sought applications from students for entrance exam a few weeks ago, she applied for it giving a copy of her admit card that she used to appear for 12th grade exam. The IoE had asked the applicants to attach either a copy of the student’s citizenship certificate or admit card that they used to appear for the 12th grade exam and as she did not have her citizenship certificate, she attached a copy of her admit card with her application.

She stated in her petition that she ranked 247th in the IoE merit list with 71.71 per cent  but as the IoE refused to accept her form, she would be deprived of her right to education as guaranteed by the constitution.