Karnataka High Court refuses to entertain PIL to revamp university exam revaluation system, relax attendance rules

The Karnataka High Court on Thursday declined to entertain a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking various prayers in the interest of college-going students, including the reimbursement of exam revaluation fees in certain cases and relaxation in attendance requirements. [National Human Rights and Social Justice Forum v. Visvesaraya Technological University and ors].When the matter was taken up today, a Bench of Chief Justice PB Varale and Justice Krishna S Dixit wondered whether it could have any say on such matters. These were aspects that were left to experts or the University authorities, the Bench opined. “I may want to have a moon at my house, but my wish is not sufficient. These are purely academic issues. University can set out (things like this)…Who are we to say that (revaluation) fees shall not be 100 rupees per paper or 200 rupees per paper?” the Chief Justice asked. .When it comes to revaluation of exam papers, the revaluation exercise may have to be undertaken by experts who would have to be paid a fee, the Court added..It asked the petitioner, a non-profit organsiation named the National Human Rights and Social Justice Forum, if it had consulted any experts before filing the petition.“Your intentions may be bonafide. We are not saying there is anything wrong in your intention, even for a moment. But how can we enter into this area which is better left to the academician? Please tell us, did any teacher or academician approach you? Students may carry their own impression, but that is not ground to entertain such PIL.".The Bench proceeded to suggest that the petitioner could withdraw its PIL and file a fresh petition that would have more research and inputs from experts, so that a case could be made out for the Court to intervene.Accordingly, the Court disposed of the matter by allowing the withdrawal of the petition..The petition had been filed against Visvesaraya Technological University, the University Grants commission, the Union Ministry of Education, the Karnataka State Higher Education Council and the State government..The petitioner’s prayers included:Directions to frame regulations for the reimbursement of exam revaluation fees when the re-evaluated marks are found to be significantly different; Creation of a new re-valuation mechanism to create more accountability and minimise arbitrary decisions; Relax attendance criteria to 51% or less for the holistic growth of students, and to fix the same attendance criteria across all colleges; Direction to bar college admissions departments from withholding the 10th and 12th marksheets of college students; Increase student composition in Student Grievance Redressal Committees; Set up committees free from university influence to address student grievances.