Madras High Court: In a writ petition filed to direct the Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University to revalue his answer paper as submitted therein and declare the petitioner as passed in Criminology and Penology in the 10th Semester BCA., LLB., (Hons.) course examination conducted on 13-11-2024, the Single Judge Bench of N. Mala, J. viewed that the answer script submitted in the case should be examined by a Criminal Law Practitioner. Further, the Court directed the University to clarify and respond to the queries regarding the transparency and fairness of the semester examination evaluation process.
Background
The petitioner’s case is that he applied for 10th Semester exams and appeared in all four theory papers and one clinical paper. The petitioner, to his shock and dismay, found that he had failed in Criminology and Penology. Thereafter, the petitioner applied for re-valuation, but his result was declared as fail with “no change”. According to the petitioner, he had a good academic record and there was no possibility of his failing the examination. The petitioner therefore filed the present writ petition for re-valuation of his answer script.
Analysis and Decision
The Court viewed that the answer script submitted in the case should be examined by a Criminal Law Practitioner. Accordingly, the Court requested the State Public Prosecutor to propose a suitable Law Officer for evaluating the petitioner’s answer papers.
Upon suggestion from the State Public Prosecutor, the Court directed Dr. C. Pratap, Government Advocate, to undertake the evaluation. The evaluation report was directed to be submitted to the Court on or before 16-04-2025.
The Court directed the University to clarify and respond to the following queries regarding the transparency and fairness of the semester examination evaluation process:
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Are answer keys provided for semester examinations? There appears to be a lack of transparency in the evaluation process.
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In the absence of answer keys, what criteria are adopted for awarding marks?
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Provide data on the number of students who have failed their semester examinations.
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Submit the number of students who applied for revaluation and retotaling in the petitioner’s course over the past three years.
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Provide data on the changes in results after revaluation.
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Is revaluation permitted for students who have already passed but received relatively low marks?
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Are copies of answer scripts made available to students upon request, or must they be obtained through an RTI application?
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Are revised marks communicated to students after revaluation?
Additionally, the University was directed to propose relevant criteria and weightage for evaluating answer scripts, ensuring a more rational and transparent assessment process.
The matter will next be taken up om 16-04-2025.
[Sunil M.P v. Tamil Nadu Dr.Ambedkar Law University, 2025 SCC OnLine Mad 2078, decided on 02-04-2025]
Advocates who appeared in this case :
For Petitioner(s): Mr.S.Surya
For Respondent(s): Mr.M.Nallathambi
For Intervener(s): Mr.AGokulakrishnan, Additional Public Prosecutor
