Bombay High Court allows LLB students to not appear for first semester Mumbai University examinations

Mumbai: In a major respite to thousands of LLB students, the Bombay High Court on Wednesday allowed them to not appear for their first semester examinations, which are scheduled to commence from January 29. A division bench of Justice Bhushan Gavai and BP Colabawala ruled that ‘non-appearance’ of students in the first semester examinations would not be considered as their failure. The judges, accordingly, asked the students to intimate their colleges about their decision of not appearing for the exams.

Accordingly, the judges have granted an option to the students to appear for their first semester papers during their second semester examinations. In other words, students can appear for both semester papers simultaneously. The judges, however, refused to stay the examinations and said those students who have prepared and wish to appear for the exams, can give their first semester papers.

The ruling came in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by some LLB students seeking a stay on their first semester examinations. The students contended that the examinations are in contravention to guidelines issued by the University Grants Commission (UGC). According to UGC guidelines, examinations in any faculty must be considered only after 90 working days from completion of the admission processes.

Citing the guidelines, students claimed that their admission process was completed on December 22. They highlighted lapses on the part of Mumbai University in delaying their admission process. Interestingly, a similar order was passed by the bench headed by Justice Bhushan Gavai, allowing students of the LLM faculty to give their first semester exams along with the second semester papers.