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Issues Involved:
1. Amenability of respondents to writ jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution. 2. Eligibility and merit-based admission of petitioners. 3. Public duty and instrumentality of the State. Issue-wise Detailed Analysis: 1. Amenability of respondents to writ jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution: The principal issue was whether the respondents, specifically the Dean of the Institute, the Kasturba Health Society, and the Local Managing Committee, were amenable to writ jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution. The court examined the material on record, including statements on oath, annual reports, and other documents, to determine the nature and function of the Institute and the Society. It was found that the Institute was established with significant involvement and financial assistance from the Central and State Governments, and it performed functions of public interest, particularly in the field of medical education and public health. The court held that the Local Managing Committee of an affiliated college under the Nagpur University Act is a "State" within the meaning of Article 12, and thus, appropriate writs could be issued against it. The court also noted that the Dean and the Society acted as statutory agents or instrumentalities of the State, making them amenable to writ jurisdiction. 2. Eligibility and merit-based admission of petitioners: The petitioners, who were students of the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, had applied for admission to the Post-Graduate course based on their merit. They claimed that they were fully eligible and had higher marks than those who were selected for admission. Despite this, they were not granted admission. The only defense presented by the respondents was that the petition was not maintainable against them as they were not "State" within the meaning of Article 12. The court found no substantial defense against the petitioners' claim of higher merit and eligibility. It was noted that the respondents failed to justify the refusal of admission on merits. 3. Public duty and instrumentality of the State: The court discussed the concept of "State" and its agency or instrumentality, referring to various Supreme Court judgments. It was emphasized that institutions engaged in matters of high public interest or performing public functions are considered government agencies. The court observed that the Institute, being involved in imparting higher medical education and regulated by several enactments, was performing a public duty. The Institute's functions were aligned with national goals related to education and public health, and it received substantial government aid. Therefore, the Institute and its managing bodies were considered instrumentalities of the State, performing public duties and thus, amenable to writ jurisdiction. Conclusion: The court concluded that the respondents, including the Dean, the Kasturba Health Society, and the Local Managing Committee, were amenable to writ jurisdiction under Article 226. The petitioners were entitled to admission based on their merit. The court directed the Dean to grant registration to the petitioners in their respective post-graduate courses for the current term, if necessary by creating supernumerary posts, without disturbing the registration of other students who had been wrongfully preferred. The petition was allowed, and the rule was made absolute in the specified terms, with no order as to costs.
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