CLAT aspirants file Petition against Convenor of CLAT Committee Delhi HC issues notice

Three CLAT aspirants Ujjwal Madan, Shubham Sinha and Osho Donnie Ashok, who had appeared for CLAT 2012, have filed a Civil Writ Petition before the Delhi High Court against the Convenor, CLAT Committee, 2012 (Respondent no: 3). The Petition has been filed on the ground that the General Knowledge and Legal Aptitude sections in the question paper contained questions which were beyond the scope of the syllabus as notified to the aspiring candidates..Three CLAT aspirants Ujjwal Madan, Shubham Sinha and Osho Donnie Ashok, who had appeared for the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2012, have filed a Civil Writ Petition before the Delhi High Court against the Convenor, CLAT Committee, 2012 (Respondent no: 3). The Petition has been filed on the ground that the General Knowledge and Legal Aptitude sections in the question paper contained questions which were beyond the scope of the syllabus as notified to the aspiring candidates. Other respondents in the Petition are Ministry of Human Resource Development (Respondent no: 1), Bar Council of India (Respondent no: 2) and the Registrar, National Law University, Jodhpur (Respondent no: 4)..The matter was listed today before Justice Sunil Gaur in the Delhi High Court. The Court has issued notice to the Respondents and the matter will come up for hearing tomorrow..Senior Advocate Jaideep Gupta along with Advocates Vikas Mehta and Aditi Bhat appeared for the Petitioners. The Senior Counsel informed the Court about the CLAT, and that this year it was held on May 13 and was organised by NLU Jodhpur. The Senior Advocate in his arguments said, “our complaint in this Writ Petition is that the questions that were included in the question paper are directly contrary to the syllabus”..However, BCI Standing Counsel Sandeep Sachdev raised objections on the ground of jurisdiction. He argued that the exam was conducted by NLU Jodhpur and the exam was conducted under the guidance of the Registrar, NLUJ. Sachdev also argued that the Respondents 1 and 2 have no role. He further argued that the Petitioners should make a representation before the Registrar and they will consider the matter. The results are to be declared soon and if any order is passed the entire admission process will be stalled..Senior Advocate Jaideep Gupta argued that the Convenor represents all 14 National Law University’s (NLU) and the centres are in every part of the country and this is not something that is held in Jodhpur. Every year a different NLU holds the exam on rotation basis in the order of seniority. The Senior Advocate also informed the Court that it is too late to make a representation now..The Hon’ble Judge also asked the Petitioners why there was a delay in filing the Petition. Senior Counsel informed the Court that they have come to the Court at the earliest possible as it took to time to coordinate and compile the questions etc. However, Judge Sunil Gaur said 2-3 days were more than sufficient..The Court in its order noted that the Learned Senior Advocate for the Petitioner states that questions put in CLAT examination are beyond the notified syllabus. The Court issued notice to the Respondents and ordered that the Respondents No. 3 and 4 will be served via email.