LLM students can give exams next semester as well: Bombay high court

The court asked the MU to not consider such students as absent or failed in the current semester.

Students pursuing Master of Laws (LLM) degrees, who do not want to appear for the exams that start today, now have the option of giving their tests along with the next semester examinations.

Many LLM students have now decided to appear for eight papers — four each from both the semesters — together in the next semester. (HT file)

The Bombay high court, which heard the petition filed by a student who wanted the exams to be rescheduled owing to a short semester, gave students the option of appearing for the exams in the next semester. The court, on Monday, asked the University of Mumbai (MU) to not consider such students as absent or failed in the current semester.

“This is a huge relief because many of us have barely managed to attend classes for four weeks. Now, at least we’ll have enough time to complete the portion,” said a student.

Last week, an LLM student had filed a petition in the court against the varsity after it failed to postpone their examinations. Students have been complaining about the short semester they were left with after previous semester’s results delay pushed admissions to LLM courses till the last week of December and in some cases to the first week of January.

“University rules insist for 90 working days. In our case, the MU hasn’t even managed to complete half of the specified period. Hence, holding exams now is unfair to us,” said another student.

Many LLM students have now decided to appear for eight papers — four each from both the semesters — together in the next semester.

“Hopefully, the university will ensure there’s enough time between the ATKT papers and the next semester exams so that we get breathing space between the exams,” said Sachin Pawar, president, Student Law Council.