Nagpur: The Nagpur bench of Bombay high court has refused any leniency to students whose Std XII results were withheld by Maharashtra state board, and later their admissions cancelled as they had failed to meet admission eligibility criteria. It also advised students to read all instructions carefully before seeking admission.
Dismissing their plea, a division bench comprising justices Sunil Shukre and Avinash Gharote also directed the board’s headquarters in Pune and its divisional office in Nagpur to initiate cancellation of affiliation and recognition of ‘Saraswat Junior College of Science and Commerce’, located at Kalmeshwar Road, Saoner.
“The students were expected to read instructions carefully about qualifying marks for securing admission to any stream whether arts, commerce or science, before getting admission. They haven’t done this and so, at least a part of the fault would also be lying at their doorsteps.”
After clearing their Std X exams, the petitioners wanted to pursue science stream in Std XI, but as they secured only 33% in board exams, they were admitted to the commerce stream. Later, they requested change of stream to science and were allowed. Subsequently, they appeared for Std XII board exams. However, the board officials withheld their results after checking their records, due to which the students approached the HC.
Acknowledging that dismissing students prayers would lead to loss of students’ precious academic years, the judges clarified that eligibility criteria being a policy matter, no further directives can be issued to compel the board to relax it.
“Since eligibility criteria for admissions to science stream is 35% and the petitioners scored 33%, they were ineligible for admissions from the very first day. They can proceed against the college to claim compensation for the loss of their academic career.”
Holding the college responsible for loss of students’ academic years, the bench said its management is presumed to know and be aware of eligibility criteria.
“The college ought not to have entertained any application for change of subject when the petitioners didn’t qualify. The larger share of fault would have to be owned by college and it’s required to be made accountable. If this is not done, such activities; undesirable and unethical as they are, would continue,” the judges said.