New Delhi: Observing that Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) are not meant for elite only, the Supreme Court today (Feb 16, 2004) asked the petitioner to supply documents justifying the charge of Rs 1.5 lakh as fees for the students.

Questioning the locus standi of the petitioners challenging Government decision to reduce drastically the fees for students of IIMs, a three judge Bench, headed by Chief Justice V N Khare, wondered as to why IIMs themselves did not challenge the legality of the Centre's decision.

Asking the three petitioners who are associated with IIMs in various capacities, the Bench directed them to show as to what are the components taken into consideration before fixing such fee.

The Bench also asked the petitioners to give details of subsidy received by IIMs from Government and details of the balance sheet for the last 10 years.

The Bench was informed by the Government that it provided Rs 2.5 lakh per student annually as subsidy and justified reduction of fees, saying IIMs were out of reach for most of the students in the country.

The case will come up for hearing again on February 27.