Telangana High Court: In a writ petition filed by a final year law student of SVKMs Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Hyderabad (‘the University’), against his suspension from appearing in term end examinations for allegedly exposing a food poisoning incident that took place at the University, a Single Judge Bench of B. Vijaysen Reddy, J., directed the University to allow the student to appear for the remaining exams, stating that the action taken against him was too harsh and disproportionate.
Background
In February 2025, the University mess allegedly had an incident of food poisoning which was widely reported in the news. The petitioner-student had allegedly exposed the incident. Subsequently, he received a notice from the University suspending him from appearing in the term end examinations for his 10th semester of the academic year 2024-25, claiming that he had deliberately attempted to tarnish the University’s reputation. Aggrieved, he filed the present petition.
It was submitted by the student that he had already missed one exam dated 28-04-2025.
Analysis
The Court stated that the action taken by the University was prima facie, arbitrary and violative of the principles of natural justice. The Court further opined that suspending the student and not permitting him to appear for examinations was too harsh and disproportionate to the alleged acts of indiscipline.
Accordingly, the Court directed the University to permit the student to appear for remaining exams of the 10th semester for the academic year 2024-25.
The matter was further posted for 02-05-2025.
[Anand Raj v. University Grants Commission, 2025 SCC OnLine TS 202, decided on 28-04-2025]
Advocates who appeared in this case :
For the petitioner: Gadi Praveen Kumar
For the respondent: S Goutham
