M. A. Shamly Mohammed vs Professor Mohan De Silva and others – SC FR 61/2019-2024

In the case between M. A. Shamly Mohammed (Petitioner) and the University Grants Commission along with associated officials and institutions (Respondents), the court addressed whether the decision of the University Grants Commission to permanently disqualify the petitioner from applying for university admission constituted arbitrariness and amounted to a violation of fundamental rights under Article 12(1) of the Constitution. The central holding established that, notwithstanding the petitioner’s misconduct in submitting false information to gain a regional advantage, the imposition of a permanent disqualification was disproportionate and arbitrary, thereby breaching the guarantee of equality before the law. The reasoning relied on constitutional principles of fairness under Article 12(1) a