According to the university, these colleges had admitted students in excess of the number mandated under the management quota and thus will have to compensate for the increased intake.

Eight colleges had taken excess students under the management quota in the 2008-09 academic session while four had admitted students in excess in 2007-08.

Last year, private colleges had taken the university to court when it objected to the increased intake. The court provided respite to the already admitted students, asking the colleges to compensate the increased intake. As per the state government rules, a private college can fill up to 10 per cent of its intake under the management quota category.

“These colleges have not followed the rules of the state government and also the regulating agencies. As per a Supreme Court decision, the colleges will have to adjust the increased intake in two years,” said Sabyasanchi Sengupta, the WBUT Vice-Chancellor.

Most of the colleges like the Institute of Engineering and Management, B P Poddar Institute of Management and Technology, Future Institute of Engineering and Management, Calcutta Institute of Engineering and Management, which are under the scanner, are located in and around Kolkata. “Once the colleges bear the brunt for taking extra students under the management quota, they are expected to act in a more responsible manner,” said WBUT registrar Rafiqul Islam.

WBUT officials, however, said there is no cap on fees under the management quota . The fees for a seat under the management quota is Rs 5-8 lakh, nearly 3-4 times the cost incurred by a regular student.

The private colleges have their own argument. Institute of Engineering and Management, Salt Lake, which is one of the most sought-after private engineering institutions, has its intake in management quota reduced by half. It said it took more students only when some already admitted left the colleges.