Madras HC Orders State to Build Men’s Hostel for Tiruchy Law College Within One Year

Madras HC orders the Tamil Nadu government to construct a men’s hostel for the Government Law College in Tiruchy within a period of one year, bringing relief to hundreds of male students who have been waiting for basic accommodation facilities for years. The direction was issued by the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court while disposing of a Public Interest Litigation that highlighted the long-standing hardship faced by students from rural and economically weaker backgrounds.

The court made it clear that the absence of hostel facilities for male students amounted to an unfair situation, especially when a women’s hostel already exists within the campus. The bench permitted the state to proceed with construction on land already earmarked for the purpose and fixed a strict timeline for completion.

Madras HC Orders Relief After Years of Student Hardship

The case was filed by a law student who pointed out that the Government Law College in Tiruchy has around 1,400 students, nearly half of whom are men. Despite this, the institution has only a hostel facility for women students, forcing male students to depend on private accommodation or travel long distances every day.

According to the petition, most of the affected students come from rural areas and socially disadvantaged communities. Due to the lack of hostel facilities, they are compelled to stay in overcrowded private rooms that charge at least ₹4,000 per month, excluding food expenses. For many families, this financial burden is unsustainable and directly affects the students’ ability to continue their education.

Some students also commute daily from their hometowns, spending several hours travelling, which impacts their academic performance and physical well-being. The petition argued that access to safe and affordable accommodation is a basic requirement for students pursuing professional education and that the government failed to address this issue despite repeated representations.

The petitioner also stated that as early as 2018, authorities had informed that funds were allocated for the hostel project. An amount of ₹84 lakh was reportedly sanctioned for the construction on land measuring about 7,700 square metres at Abhishekam village. This land had been identified for the hostel as far back as 2007. However, no visible progress was made even years after the allocation.

Madras HC Orders Construction After Clearing Legal Obstacles

During the hearing, the court also examined a separate petition filed by a private company claiming ownership over the land proposed for the hostel. The company argued that the land had originally belonged to it before being taken over by the government under the Tamil Nadu Urban Land Ceiling Act.

The division bench rejected the company’s claim and dismissed its petition, stating that the government had lawful authority over the land. With this legal hurdle removed, the court stated that there was no justification for further delay in constructing the hostel.

While allowing the student’s petition, the bench clearly stated that the state government is free to proceed with the construction and must ensure that the men’s hostel is completed within one year. The court’s order underlined the responsibility of the government to provide essential infrastructure in public educational institutions.

The ruling has been welcomed by students and education activists, who see it as a reminder that welfare infrastructure cannot remain on paper indefinitely. The judgment also reinforces the role of the judiciary in ensuring accountability when administrative delays affect students’ rights. Also Read: India UAE Defence Partnership: Modi and MBZ Strengthen Bilateral Ties

Conclusion

With Madras HC orders setting a firm deadline, the focus now shifts to implementation. If carried out as directed, the new men’s hostel will address a long-standing gap in student facilities at the Tiruchy Government Law College and improve access to legal education for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.