HYDERABAD: A Division Bench of the High Court on Tuesday directed officers of the Education Department to register criminal cases within 48 hours against corporate colleges indulging in wide publicity to attract the attention of students and parents. The police were directed to investigate and file a comprehensive report.

The Bench comprising Chief Justice G. S. Singhvi and Justice R. Subhash Reddy was dealing with a writ petition pertaining to misleading advertisements by corporate colleges in major daily newspapers. It may be recalled that some time ago a letter was addressed to the Chief Justice complaining that such advertisements were causing psychological trauma among boys and girls.

Aggressive strategies

It was alleged that this was due to aggressive marketing strategies adopted by corporate colleges offering short and long term coaching for EAMCET.

The Bench had appointed K.G. Kannabiran, senior advocate as amicus curiae to assist the court and sought a report from the Government in this regard.

Laws being amended

When the case came up for hearing, the Government pleader informed the Bench that relevant laws were being amended. The Bench did not appreciate the attitude of the Government and speaking through the Chief Justice it felt that appropriate rules could be framed immediately.

The Bench, during the course of hearing, did not hide its anguish and anger at the state of affairs and repeatedly wanted to know why no criminal case had been registered though such a provision was available in the existing Act.

The Bench lambasted corporate colleges for their unscrupulous methods to make money and directed the case to be listed for hearing on January 27.

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