Kerala High Court

State Of Kerala vs Dr. Naveen Divakar on 17 January, 2023

W. A. No. 791 of 2012
                                 -1-

             IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
                               PRESENT
         THE HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE MR.S.MANIKUMAR
                                  &
             THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SHAJI P.CHALY
 TUESDAY, THE 17TH DAY OF JANUARY 2023 / 27TH POUSHA, 1944
                         WA NO. 791 OF 2012
     AGAINST THE ORDER IN RP 363/2012 AND JUDGMENT IN WPC
                  7258/2012 OF HIGH COURT OF KERALA
APPELLANT/S:

     1       STATE OF KERALA
             HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT
             SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695001.
     2       THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL EDUCATION
             THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695001.
     3       COMMISSIONER FOR ENTRANCE EXAMINATION
             THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695001.
     4       THE PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER
             OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF ENTRANCE
             EXAMINATIONS, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695001.
             BY ADV SRI. V. TEKCHAND, SR. GP.


RESPONDENT/S:

     1       DR. NAVEEN DIVAKAR
             ROLL NO. 55895, ANJALI, EAST KALLAD.P.O., KOLLAM.
     2       DR. SREEKANTH.R.

ROLL.NO. 55694, KARTHIKA NIVAS, THIRUMULLAVARAM.P.O., KOLLAM-12.

3 DR. NIKHIL GOPI ROLL NO. 57481, RAMANEEYAM, KUTTIKATTUKARA.P.O., ELOOR, ERNAKULAM.

4 DR. JEBIN IBRAHIM ROLL NO. 57732, AFFIF MANZIL, KALOOR.P.O., KOCHI-

17.

5 DR. LIKHIN.S.P.

ROLL NO. 56181, SOPANAM, T.K.M. COLLEGE.P.O., PEROOR KOLLAM-5.

6 DR.ARIF LATHEEF ROLL NO. 58895, KANDAMANGALATH, AIMS P.O., W. A. No. 791 of 2012

PONEKKARA, ERNAKULAM.

7 DR. SREEKANTH.P.

ROLL NO.57371, SRAVANAM HOUSE, AYIROOR NORTH.P.O., THIRUVALLA.

8 DR. ROHINI.C.

ROLL NO.58638, CHANDRA VILAS, MANJERI.P.O., MALAPPURAM.

9 DR. ABDUL SALEEM.T.

ROLL NO.57593, THATTARATH HOUSE, KALLIKANDY.P.O., KANNUR.

10 DR. ABITH.RAJ.K.

ROLL NO.59041, KALLIKADAVIL HOSUE, MUTHRATHIKKARA, PARAPOOKKARA.P.O., TRICHUR. 11 DR. ABOOBACKER MUHAMMED RAFI ROLL NO.59178, THANIKAL HOUSE, KIZHAKOTH.P.O., KODUVALLY, CALICUT.

12 DR. ADERSH.S.

ROLL NO. 57666 SWATHI, PONNUVEETTIL LANE, PATHURAIKAL, TRICHUR.

13 DR. AJAYAN.K.V.

ROLL NO. 55072, KUNNATH HOUSE, CHOKKAD.P.O., MALAPPURAM.

14 DR. AJOY SAMUEL MAMMEN ROLL NO.55557, UPPUKKERIL, THAZHAKKARA.P.O., MAVELIKKARA.

15 DR. ALTHAF AHAMED PILLAI ROLL NO. 56076, KALOOR HOUSE, M.K. NAGAR, THONNAKKAL.P.O., TRIVANDRUM.

16 DR. AMINA ABDU RAHMAN ROLL NO. 59842, AL FAUZ, V.K.K. MENON ROAD, KALLAI P.O., CALICUT.

17 DR. ANJALI.C.

ROLL NO.56077, FLAT. NO. 3D, EMARLD APARTMENTS, NANDAVANANM, PALAYAM.P.O., TRIVANDRUM.

18 DR. ANJALI.S.

ROLL NO. 57574, POURNAMI, KAROTHUMADATHIL HOSUE, THODUPUZHA.P.O., IDUKKI.

19 DR. ANU BHASURAN ROLL NO.57734, ANU BHAVAN, MUNDA KAVU.P.O., CHENGANNUR.

20 DR. APARNA MURALEEDHARAN ROLL NO. 59202, ASHTAPADI, NIT CAMPUS.P.O. CALICUT-673601.

21 DR. APARNA VINOD ROLL NO.59593, NADUVIL HOUSE, THOTTAKKARA, W. A. No. 791 of 2012

TENARI.P.O., PALAKKAD-678622.

22 DR. ARUN CHERIYAN MAMMEN ROLL NO. 53913, UPPUKKERIL, THAZHAKKARA.P.O., MAVELIKKARA.

23 DR. ELIZABETH JACOB ROLL NO. 59470, THADATHIVILAYIL, NEAR SACRED HEART CHURCH, MUKKAM.P.O., KOZHIKODE-673602. 24 DR. GEETHANJALI.S. MOHAN ROLL NO. 56588, KIRISHNAKRIPA, AZHAYA ROAD, MEDICAL COLLEGE.P.O., TRIVANDRUM-11.

25 DR. GIJO.A.J.

ROLL NO.57365, ARACKA THOTTATHIL HOUSE, MELUKAVUMATTOM.P.O., KOTTAYAM-686652.

26 DR. GIRISH.S.

ROLL NO.56177, CHATHRAM, AYRAVON.P.O., KONNY, PATHANAMTHITTA KERALA.

27 DR. JAISON SAM JOHN ROLL NO. 58189, PUTHEN BANGALOW, CMS COLLEGE, CHUNGAM ROAD.P.O., KOTTAYAM-686001.

28 DR. JAYAKRISHNAN.V.Y.

ROLL NO. 55914, VADAKKKEKKARA VEEDU, KIP ROAD, PUNNIVIZHA, ADOOR.P.O.

29 DR. JAYAKRISHNAN.J.

ROLL NO.55183, SREEKRISHNA, B.N-19A, TRIVANDRUM- 695001.

30 DR. JESIN ELSA JOSE ROLL NO. 56091, CHERIYIL, KUZHAVALLOOR.P.O., CHENGANNUR.

31 DR. JITHIN JITH ROLL NO. 55539, SWATHI, T.C. 16/409, NANDANAM LANE, THYCAUD.P.O. TRIVANDRUM.

32 DR. JUSTIN THOMAS ROLL NO.58068, PUTHENPURACKAL, MUTHOLY.P.O., PALA.

33 DR. KARTHIKA.M.C.

ROLL NO.60500,KARTHIK, RAMANATTUKARA.P.O., KOZHIKODE-673633.

34 DR. KRISHNA MAHDEVAN ROLL NO.56009, A-2 QTRS, MEDICAL COLLEGE, GANDHINAGAR.P.O., KOTTAYAM.

35 DR.LAKSHMI MOHAN ROLL NO. 57068, ATHIRA, CMC-13, GOVT. HOSPITAL ROAD, CHERTHALA, ALAPPUZHA.

36 DR. LINU.S.M.

ROLL NO.55345, PULARI, V.P.9/1082, VELLAIKADAVU, W. A. No. 791 of 2012

KADUNGANOOR.P.O., TRIVANDRUM.

37 DR. MILU SUSAN VARGHESE ROLL NO. 58777, PAPPALAPARAMBIL, PARIYARAM.P.O., KOTTAYAM.

38 DR. MINI SUSAN ABRAHAM ROLL NO.57693, PLAVUNKAL HOUSE, CHENGAROOR.P.O., MALLAPALLI.

39 DR. NAVEEN.K.

ROLL NO. 59891, SREEHARI, NEAR KUSHALNAGAR, P.O. KANHANGAD.

40 DR. NEEMA VENUGOPAL ROLL NO. 60144, VYSAKH, PATERI CROSS ROAD, CALICUT-673016.

41 DR. POORNIMA.R. PAI ROLL NO. 56827, K.V. MADAM, KANDIYOOR, MAVELIKKARA-3.

42 DR. PRAVEENA.K.K.

ROLL NO. 59157. ANU NIVAS, NILAMBUR, RSPO, MALAPURAM DISTRICT.

43 DR.RAJEENA AZEEZ ROLL NO.59127,INSHIRAAH, MONANCHERRY P.O., KANNUR-670613 44 DR.A REETA JAMES ROLL NO.60443,A-107, JAWAHAR NAGAR COLONY, ERNAHIPALAM P.O., CALICUT-6.

45 DR. RIZVIMOHAMMED ROLL NO.56947,RIZVI VILLA, NEAR ST.LUKE HOSPITAL, PATHANAMTHITTA.

46 DR. RONY CHERIYAN ROLL NO.57361,PALAMATTOM HOUSE, KATTAPPANA P.O., IDUKKI DISTRICT.

47 DR. SAHANA RAIHAN ROLL NO.57839,FLAT NO.68, MARIGOLD APARTMENT, PIPELINE ROAD, THRIKKAKARA P.O., ERNAKULAM.

48 DR. SHIJITHA N.

ROLL NO.55230,SRISAILAM, T.C.7/128, KOCHULLOOR JUNCTION, MEDICAL COLLEGE P.O., TRIVANDRUM. 49 DR. SHABEEB RAHMAN THURKY ROLL NO.59690,SHANAS, NEAR APPAKKOTIL, KUTHUPARAMBA, KANNUR.

50 DR. S. MOHAMMED SHAJAS ROLL NO.55994,SHAN VILLA, MURUKKUMON, NILAMEL P.O., KOLLAM.

51 DR. SHALINI NAIR.M.

ROLL NO.57373,THARAYATHU HOUSE, MURANI, W. A. No. 791 of 2012

MALLAPPALLY EAST P.O., PATHANAMTHITTA-689584.

52 DR. SHALU SUSAN MATHEW ROLL NO.55535,GEOVILLA, KUTTIYIL KIZHAKKETHIL HOUSE, MAVELIKKARA P.O., ALAPPUZHA 53 DR. SHINE.J.

ROLL NO.56954,PAKALOMATTOM HOUSE, VENGALLOOR P.O., THODUPUZHA 54 DR. SMITHA MURALI ROLL NO.57835,SOUPARNIKA, M.G.KAVU, THRISSUR.

55 DR. SOUMYA.V.K.

ROLL NO.59971,PRAYAGA, LAXMI NAGAR, KANJANGAD P.O.

56 DR. SREENATH.N.

ROLL NO.57283,VAIDYASHALAYIL, EDAYIRIKKAPPUZHA, KANGAZHA, KOTTAYAM.

57 DR. SYLVIA SYRIAC ROLL NO.57347,VALIAVEETTIL KULATHUNKAL, PUMMATTOM, PUTHUPPALLY P.O., KOTTAYAM.

58 DR. UMESH.G.

ROLL NO.58404, GOWTHAMI, SOUTH NADA,HARIPAD P.O., ALLEPPUZHA.

59 DR. VIMAL VIJAY ROLL NO.57845,MOOZHIKAL HOUSE, PERUMBAIKADU P.O., KOTTAYAM.

60 DR. VINETH.V.K.

ROLL NO.58176,VAZHAPPILLY HOUSE, KOTTAPPADI P.O., TRICHUR.

61 DR. VINITHA GOPALAKRISHNAN ROLL NO.58413,3/86, PUTHUKULANGARA, THALIKKULAM P.O., TRICHUR.

62 DR. LAKSHMI VIJAYAKUMAR ROLL NO.56905, ATHIRA, KUDAMALOOR P.O., KOTTAYAM.

63 DR. NUJUBA BEEGUM.M.

ROLL NO.56254, T.C.43/137, JT HOME, KAMALESWARAM, MANACAUD P.O.

64 DR. ANILA GEORGE ROLL NO.58015, KALAPURACKAL, RUBY NAGAR P.O., CHANAGANASSERY.

65 DR. ANNE MARY JOHN ROLL NO.56897,THECKANAL, CHOOTTUVELI, SH MOUNT P.O., KOTTAYAM.

66 DR. BAJITHA GOPALAN ROLL NO.57409,VELIATH HOUSE, FIRENDSHIP NAGAR, PIPELINE, PALARIVATTOM P.O.,KOCHI-25.

67 DR. BOBBY PAULOSE W. A. No. 791 of 2012

ROLL NO.58978,CHIRAMADATHIKUDIYIL, KARKET P.O., KADATHY EAST, MUVATTUPUZHA.

68 DR. DON MATHEW ROLL NO.57826,VATTAPPILLIL HOUE, KOKKAPPILLY P.O., THIRUVANKULAM, ERNAKULAM.

69 DR. GEETHU BABU ROLL NO.5726O,THURUTHIYIL HOUSE, THIRUVANKULAM P.O., ERNAKULAM.

70 DR. KANNAN D. RAJ ROLL NO.55654,VANAJOLSNA, MAMPALLIKUNNAM, CHATHANNOOR P.O., KOLLAM.

71 DR. LEKSHMI SREE.S.J.

ROLL NO.56576, ANJANEYAM, KULAKKODU, VELLANAD P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.

72 DR. MUHAMMED MINSHAD ROLL NO.55783,KOTTAPURATHU HOUSE, MELILA P.O., KUNNICODE, KOLLAM.

73 DR. PRAVEEN.G.L.

ROLL NO.56488,ANJANEYAM, KULAKKODU, VELLANAD P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.

74 DR. SHIBILI.E.

ROLL NO.60611,CHERUKUTH (H), HAJIYAR PALLY P.O., KOLMANNA.

75 DR. FOUSIYA.P.

ROLL NO.60610,FAIZAL MANZIL, MATHILTHODI, FAROOQ COLLEGE P.O.

76 DR. ARIFA.A.K.

ROLL NO.59650,ALATHUMKUNDY HOUSE, KARUVANPOIL P.O., VIA.KODUVALLY.

77 DR. PARVATHY.R.

ROLL NO.57612,SATHGAMAYA, JUBILEE ROAD, MOUNAMPADI, UP HILL P.O., MALAPPURAM.

78 DR. SHOIB NAWAZ ROLL NO.60267,AYESHA BAUGH, KALLIL THAZHE, PARAL P.O., THALASSERY.

79 DR. REJITHA RAMACHANDRAN ROLL NO.59257,SREERAGAM, CHITTILAPPILLY P.O., THRISSUR.

80 DR. MEERA JAYAKUMAR ROLL NO.56162,SREEKRISHNA, SREEKRISHNA NAGAR, PONGUMMOODU, ULLUR, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 81 DR. ASWIN MOHANDAS PALLATH ROLL NO.59416,ASHIRWAD, ANNIE HALL ROAD, CALICUT-

82 DR. FATHIMA FEBINA.K.K. W. A. No. 791 of 2012

ROLL NO.60512,PLESANT DALE, RAILWAY STATION ROAD, THANUR, MALAPPURAM.

83 DR. DHANEJ.M.K.

ROLL NO.59182,MANAKKATTU KUNNEMMEL, PAROPPADI, MALAPARAMBU P.O., KOZHIKODE.

84 DR. RINDU RAVEENDRAN ROLL NO.59263,KRISHNAKRIPA, G-43, HARITHA NAGAR, CHEVARAMBALAM P.O., CALICUT-17. 85 DR.MUHAMMED SHAREEF THENATH ROLL NO.60476,BEEMBINGAL HOUSE, ELANGUR P.O., MANJERI VIA., MALAPPURAM.

86 DR. RAKESH.K.R.

ROLL NO.60026,KODANGAT HOUSE, THALAKKASSERRY P.O., VIA.THRITHALA, PALAKKAD.

87 DR. NIKHIL ABEL ABRAHAM ROLL NO.59294,THOTTAPPALLI HOUSE, ULLAS HOUSING COLONY, THAMARASSERY, CALICUT 88 DR. DHAWANI GOPINATH ROLL NO.59976,RAM NIVAS, SANGEETHA ROAD, PERINTHALMANNA P.O., MALAPPURAM.

89 DR. MIDHUN MANOHAR ROLL NO.56910,ANJANAM, CANAL LANE, BEHIND POOJA CRICKET GROUND, THRIPPUNITHURA, ERNAKULAM.

90 DR. ANUJA RAJU ROLL NO.57026,MULANGOOTTIL ANU BHAVAN, CHENNITHALA, MAVELIKKARA-5.

91 DR. VIDHU VIJAYAKUMAR ROLL NO.58342,RESIDING AT 38/2438, SHREYAS, VENNALA P.O., KOCHI.

92 DR. REKHA SALINI ROLL NO.58904,NALLAVEEDU, NEAR TB, ML ROAD, KOTTAYAM.

93 DR. DEVARAJ NAIK.K.

ROLL NO.57458,GANGA HOUSE, MANNI PADDY, RAMDAS NAGAR P.O., KASARAGOD.

94 DR. SHYNA.S.THERUVATH ROLL NO.57841, 1/1906, KUNNUMPURAM, NEAR CANARA BANK, FORT KOCHI-682001.

95 DR. GOWRI RAJ ROLL NO.68757,GREESHMA, 6/710A NEAR TEMPLE, THRIKKAKARA P.O., ERNAKULAM.

96 DR. GAYATHRI RAJ ROLL NO.58428,6/710 A NEAR TEMPLE, THRIKKAKARA, P.O.ERNAKULAM.

97 DR. ANJU SHAJU AREEKAL W. A. No. 791 of 2012

ROLL NO.57303,AREEKAL HOUSE, SOUTH OF THRIVENI, VENGOOR P.O., ERNAKULAM-46.

98 DR. NITHIN.G.

ROLL NO.59726,KRISHNA PRABHA HOUSE, KSHB COLONY, PLOT NO.26, MEDICAL COLLEGE P.O., CALICUT.

99 DR. JIPIN GOPI ROLL NO.59489,SAYOOJYA, CHEMPAKA HOUSING COLONY, CHEVAYOOR, CALICUT-673017.

100 DR. ARUN KUMAR.P.

ROLL NO.59954,KRISHNA KRIPA, PETTA, FEROOQUE, CALICUT-673631.

101 DR. ARABHI JAYAN ROLL NO.59797,SAYOOJYA, CHEMPAKA HOUSING COLONY, CHEVAYOOR, CALICUT-673017 102 DR. RAIZA PAUL ROLL NO.57575,PANIKULANGARA HOUSE, EAST OF TELEPHONE EXCHANGE, ALAPPUZHA-1.

103 DR. RIJESH.R.

ROLL NO.60104,ATHIRA, PUNNASSERRY, P.O., NARIKUNI, KOZHIKODE.

104 DR. SABARINATH.P.S.

ROLL NO.55272,SABARI, PERUNNA P.O., CHANGANACHERRY, KOTTAYAM-686102.

105 DR. SUBIN R. MULLAMALA ROLL NO.58754,GOKULAM, ETTUMANOOR P.O., KOTTAYAM.

106 DR. VIPIN DAS ROLL NO.58649,PALAKKATTU HOUSE, THOTTABHAGAM, PIRAVOM P.O., ERNAKULAM-686664.

107 DR. VIPIN.P. VIJAYAN ROLL NO.58427,LAKSHMI NIVAS, PAYYANADAM, MANNARKKAD P.O., PALAKKAD.

108 DR. VIVEK.R.

ROLL NO.58095,MEERA BHAVAN, KOLLAM P.O., KOYILANDI VIA., KOZHIKODE.

109 DR. ASHISH GEORGE ROLL NO.60246,KUNNATH HOUSE, CHITTARIKKAL P.O., KASARAGOD-671326.

110 DR. DEEPTHIDAMODARAN ROLL NO.55860,DEEPAM, E.V.NAGAR, KARUVATTA, ADOOR P.O., PATHANAMTHITTA 111 DR.NAVEEN RAJU ROLL NO.58096,RAJASHEEL, OOYOOR, P.O., KOLLAM.

112 DR. DEVI.M.

ROLL NO.56997,DEVI NILAYAM, KADAVIL ROAD, THYKOODAM, COCHIN-682019.

W. A. No. 791 of 2012

113 DR. REEM AZIZ ROLL NO.56260,FLAT NO.7A, SPS SYMPHONY, VAZHUTHACAUD, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.

114 DR. DIVYA THOMAS ROLL NO.55364,POOVANNALIL ASHIANA, NANGIAR KULANGARA P.O., HARIPPAD.

115 DR.RACHANA.K.

ROLL NO.58438,RACHANA, MANITHARA, AVANOOR P.O., THRISSUR-680547.

BY ADV SRI.N.J.MATHEWS

THIS WRIT APPEAL HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 17.01.2023, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:

W. A. No. 791 of 2012

JUDGMENT

S. Manikumar, C. J.

Before the writ court, petitioners have sought for the following

reliefs:-

"i) Declare that the petitioners are entitled for access to information in relation to their question booklet, answer scripts as well as answer key and deprivation of the same will amount to violation of fundamental right to information regarding conduct of entrance examination which is a right guaranteed under the Constitution;

ii) Issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction directing the respondents to supply question booklet, answer scripts as well as answer key relating to each of the petitioners with regard to the entrance examination held on 19.2.2012 pursuant to Ext. P1 leading to Ext. P2 result within such time as this Hon'ble Court deems just and proper;

iii) Issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction directing the 1st respondent to conduct an enquiry into the glaring disparity in the result of the entrance examination, pursuant to Ext. P1 evidenced by Ext. P2 in the light of the complaints submitted by the petitioners and others evidenced by Exts. P5 to/ P9 and other similar complaints and take such remedial action in accordance with law before finalization of the admission on 31.5.2012."

W. A. No. 791 of 2012

2. Adverting to the rival submissions, writ court, by judgment

dated 02.04.2012 in W. P. (C) No. 7258 of 2012, ordered thus:-

"4. In view of the Supreme Court decision on the subject of issue of copies of valued answer scripts of the examination in Central Board of Secondary Education v. Aditya Bandopadyay, 2011 (3) KLT SN 17 under the Right to Information Act, the respondents cannot now take the stand that in the absence of provision in the prospectus, copies of question booklet, answer scripts and answer key cannot be issued to the candidates. The petitioners also refer to Ext.P10 order of the Central Information Commission, whereby supply of copies of similar documents have been ordered. In the above circumstances, this writ petition is disposed of with the following direction:

If the petitioners have applied for the copies of question booklet, answer scripts and answer key to them under the Right to Information Act, the respondents shall see that the same is supplied to them within one week from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment."

3. Being aggrieved, R. P. No. 363 of 2012 has been filed by the

State of Kerala, represented by the Secretary to the Government,

Health and Family Welfare Department, Thiruvananthapuram and

others.

W. A. No. 791 of 2012

4. After hearing the learned counsel appearing for the parties, by

order dated 10.04.2012 in R. P. No. 363 of 2012 in W. P. (C) No. 7258

of 2012, learned Single Judge dismissed the review petition, as under:-

"3. It is settled law that the difficulties in collecting the information is no ground to deny a person the right conferred by the Right to Information Act for receiving information. The learned counsel for the petitioners in the writ petition submits that earlier, copy of similar OMR sheet for MBBS examination was issued to the 88th petitioner in the writ petition itself. Whatever that be, insofar as it is settled law that difficulties in collecting information is not a ground to deny a person the right conferred by the Right to Information Act, I am not inclined to review my judgment."