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No tinkering: Why Kerala High Court refused to quash private college’s warning letter to law student

A law student had approached the court seeking to quash the warning letter issued by the principal of his college refraining him from entering any classroom or academic space without prior permission.

3 min readNew DelhiUpdated: Jan 20, 2026 10:45 AM IST

Kerala High Court dismissed the plea filed by a fifth-semester law student of Mount Zion Law College who had challenged a warning letter issued by the college principal. (Image generated using AI)

The Kerala High Court has refused to interfere with a warning letter issued by a private college to a law student, holding that courts should not interfere with matters of internal discipline of academic institutions.

Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas dismissed the plea filed by a fifth-semester law student of Mount Zion Law College who had challenged a warning letter issued by the college principal.

Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas dismissed the plea filed by the law student. (File Photo)

“The jurisdiction of this Court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India ought not to be exercised to tinker with the decisions of academic establishments or to interfere with the internal discipline of a college,” the order read.

Article 226 of the constitution grants powers to the high court to issue to any person, authority, or government, directions, orders or writs, including writs in the nature of habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, quo warrantor and certiorari, or any of them, for the enforcement fundamental rights.

Core Legal Principle

"Courts should not tinker with decisions of academic establishments or interfere with internal discipline of colleges"

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Presiding Judge

Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas

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Constitutional Provision

Article 226 - High Court cannot act as appellate authority

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Institution

Mount Zion Law College (Private Institution)

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Alternative Forum

Remedies available under University Statutes

Warning Letter Restrictions Imposed

⛔ No classroom or academic space entry without prior permission

⛔ Prohibited from making statements that malign faculty or management reputation

Express InfoGenIE

Background

A law student who claimed to have completed his 5th semester approached the court seeking a writ of certiorari to quash the warning letter issued by the principal of the college.
The warning letter issued by the principal of the college directed the law student to refrain from entering any classroom or academic space without prior permission.
It further barred him from making any statements or actions that malign the reputation of the faculty, management of the institution.
It was further mentioned that if such behavior repeats, it will invite further disciplinary action according to the college rules.

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Findings

A reading of the letter reveals that it is only a warning letter issued, prior to taking any disciplinary action.
The said document reveals that it is an issue that arises out of the maintenance of internal discipline of a college, and that too issued by the Head of the Institution.
The jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India ought not to be exercised to tinker with the decisions of academic establishments or to interfere with the internal discipline of a college.

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Cannot act as an appellate court, against any disciplinary proceedings proposed or taken by an institution, that too in the nature of the private college.
The remedy, if at all available for the petitioner, can only be before some other forum under the university statutes.

Ashish Shaji

Ashish Shaji is a Senior Sub-Editor at The Indian Express, where he specializes in legal journalism. Combining a formal education in law with years of editorial experience, Ashish provides authoritative coverage and nuanced analysis of court developments and landmark judicial decisions for a national audience. Expertise Legal Core Competency: Ashish is a law graduate (BA LLB) from IME Law College, CCSU. This academic foundation allows him to move beyond surface-level reporting, offering readers a deep-dive into the technicalities of statutes, case law, and legal precedents. Specialized Legal Reporting: His work at The Indian Express focuses on translating the often-dense proceedings of India's top courts into clear, actionable news. His expertise includes: Judicial Analysis: Breaking down complex orders from the Supreme Court and various High Courts. Legal Developments: Monitoring legislative changes and their practical implications for the public and the legal fraternity. Industry Experience: With over 5 years in the field, Ashish has contributed to several niche legal and professional platforms, honing his ability to communicate complex information. His previous experience includes: Lawsikho: Gaining insights into legal education and practical law. Verdictum: Focusing on high-quality legal news and court updates. Enterslice: Working at the intersection of legal, financial, and advisory services. ... Read More