Law student moves Bombay HC, asks for exams to be postponed

The exams were initially scheduled to begin on January 17. Owing to several students’ complaints, the exams were delayed by five days and will now begin on Monday.

Less than a week after a group of Bachelor of Law (LLB) students filed a petition against the University of Mumbai (MU) in the Bombay high court, a Master of Law (LLM ) student on Saturday filed a writ petition against the university after it failed to postpone the examinations by a reasonable time period.

Apart from approaching the court, some students have decided to boycott the LLM exams as a mark of protest. (HT file photo)

The exams were initially scheduled to begin on January 17. Owing to several students’ complaints, the exams were delayed by five days and will now begin on Monday.

Students have complained that the delay in admission led to a shorter semester. “Due to the delay in last semester’s results, the admission process was extended all the way to the last week of December. Some colleges announced the final admission as late as last week. How does the University expect us to appear for exams at such short notice? We barely have any time to complete the portion,” said a student.

Sachin Pawar, president of Student Law Council, said, “We have been writing to the university repeatedly for several weeks but haven’t received a single response. Only the court can bring justice.”

“The basic rule that the university needs to abide by is to make sure that a semester consists of 90 working days, which is enough time to complete the portion. However this time, some of us have barely attended classes for three-four weeks. The university still expects us to appear for the exams, which is unfair,” said another student.

Apart from approaching the court, some students have decided to boycott the LLM exams as a mark of protest.

Officials from MU have refused to comment on the issue. “We will follow whatever directions the court gives us,” said Arjun Ghatule, acting Director, Board of Examination and Evaluation, University of Mumbai.