IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, J.
Puschpender S/o Shri Babu Lal (presently Confined In Central Jail No. 2, Tihar, New Delhi) – Appellant
Versus
Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar University Through Its Vice Chancellor Paliwal Park, Park Road, Agra, U. P: 282004 – Respondent
W.P.(C) 8982 of 2019
Decided On : 14-02-2023
Labour Law - LL.B. Final Year Examination - UGC Guidelines - [LL.B. Final Year Examination, UGC Guidelines] - The court discussed the petitioner's request to appear in the re-examination of Labour Law paper of LL.B. Final Year and the re-evaluation of his answer booklet. The court considered the UGC guidelines and the rules and regulations applicable to the course, emphasizing that the number of opportunities for completing the LL.B. degree course cannot exceed the permissible opportunities. The court concluded that the petitioner was not entitled to any further opportunities to clear the examination or claim re-evaluation.
Fact of the Case:
The petitioner sought directions to appear in the re-examination of Labour Law paper of LL.B. Final Year and requested re-evaluation of his answer booklet. He had been in judicial custody and was unable to appear in the examination, leading to his failure in the labour law paper.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the petitioner had exhausted all chances to clear the examination and that no relief could be granted to him at this stage. It emphasized the rules and regulations applicable to the course, including the UGC guidelines, and concluded that the petitioner was not entitled to any further opportunities.
Issues: The issues involved the petitioner's request for directions to appear in the re-examination of Labour Law paper of LL.B. Final Year and the re-evaluation of his answer booklet, as well as the applicability of UGC guidelines and the rules and regulations governing the course.
Ratio Decidendi: The court's decision was based on the interpretation of the UGC guidelines and the rules and regulations applicable to the LL.B. course, emphasizing that the number of opportunities for completing the degree course cannot exceed the permissible opportunities.
Final Decision: The court dismissed the petitioner's petition, ruling that he was not entitled to any further opportunities to clear the examination or claim re-evaluation.
JUDGMENT
Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, J. (Oral)--The petitioner has filed the present petition seeking directions against respondent Nos.1 and 2 to allow him to appear in the re-examination of Labour Law paper of LL.B. Final Year scheduled in the year 2018. He also prayed for fixing the liabilities on respondent No.3 for deliberate and considerable delays resulting in depriving the petitioner to appear in LL.B. final year exam for the year 2013-14, despite the orders of his custody parole by the trial court. A further prayer for directions to respondent Nos.1 and 2 to re-evaluate the Labour laws answer booklet No. 7023009 dated 30.12.2016 is also made.
2. The case of the petitioner is that in May 2011, he took admission in LL.B. 1st year, in respondent No.2-Shri Jagdamba Law College (College) which is affiliated with respondent No.1-Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar University (University). According to him, in June 2012, he completed his 1st year and in June 2013, he completed his 2nd year of LL.B. course and he was promoted to LL.B. 3rd year. The petitioner was taken into Judicial Custody on 25.11.2019 in connection with criminal case registered against him. The petitioner could not appear in LL.B. 3rd year examination as he was in jail.
3. The petitioner states that when he was in jail, parole was granted to him to appear in the remaining examination of LL.B. 3rd year. In February 2017, the petitioner was declared failed in the labour laws paper, he thereafter, made a request for re-evaluation of his answer booklet. Several reminders were sent by the petitioner, however, they remained ineffective. Therefore, the petitioner has approached this court.
4. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner states that the petitioner was not allowed to appear in his 3rd year examination when the same was scheduled for the first time. He further submits that when he appeared in his 3rd year examination on parole, he attempted all his papers but could not clear the labour law paper because of the improper evaluation of the answer booklet. He, therefore, had requested for re-evaluation of the said answer booklet.
5. According to the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner, if the petitioner is granted one more opportunity to clear his LL.B. 3rd year examination (labour law) or if his answer booklet is re-evaluated, the petitioner would be able to clear the said examination and he would acquire a degree in law.
6. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of respondent No.1-University opposed the said submission and states that the petitioner has already exhausted all chances to clear the examination and therefore, at this stage, no relief can be granted to him. He further states that firstly, the petitioner was to clear his entire course within a period of three years plus two years; secondly, a maximum of one year can further be extended at the discretion of the Vice-Chancellor.
7. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of respondent No.1-University further states that in the instant case, the petitioner took admission in the year 2011-12 and now in the year 2023-24, the petitioner cannot be granted any further opportunity to clear his examination. He further states that if the relief in the instant case is granted to the petitioner, the same would violate the Rules of the University Grants Commission (UGC) which are applicable to respondent no.1-University. He, therefore, states that the petitioner is not entitled to appear in any subsequent examination.
8. So far as the prayer with respect to the re-evaluation of the labour law paper is concerned, it is stated by learned counsel for respondent No.1 that the said prayer also cannot be accepted as the petitioner appeared as an ex-student and there is no rule applicable to the ex-student to claim for re-evaluation. It is, therefore, submitted that no interference is called for.
9. I have heard learned counsel appearing for the parties and perused the record.
10. The facts of the
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