ADCE to administer American College

[sajiv]

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Thursday directed the Assistant Director of Collegiate Education to take over the administration of the American College here.

Hearing a writ appeal filed by Rev. Christopher Asir, CSI Bishop, who is the chairman of the governing council of the college against a single judge order, Justice K. N. Basha and Justice P. P. S. Janardhana Raja said that the court was "very anxious about paramount interest of the institution as well as students."

It was constrained to make a via media measure for the smooth administration of the institution, pending disposal of the writ appeal. It directed the Assistant Director of Collegiate Education, Jothimurugan, to take over the administration of the college forthwith and administer it with the cooperation of all concerned, including the parties who had filed the writ appeal before the court, apart from the assistance of his own officials.

The present administrator, P. R. Anbudurai, who had been allowed to function as Principal/secretary of the college as per the order of a single judge dated December 11, was directed to hand over the entire charge forthwith to the ADCE. It was made clear that the ADCE shall ensure disbursal of salary of the teaching and non-teaching staff and protect the interest of students, enabling them to write their examinations.

Administration of the ADCE shall be monitored by the Director of Collegiate Education. The court directed the Commissioner of Police to depute sufficient number of police officials to give protection for three months from Thursday to the students, teaching and non-teaching staff of the institution and run it smoothly.

The ADCE was entitled to seek police protection if he apprehended any breach of peace after three months.

The college reopened on Thursday, following the December 11 order of the High Court directing the parties to refer the case to an appropriate civil court.