HC reprieve for 4 students found copying

The Bombay high court on Monday showed leniency to four Master of Management Studies students from the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies by asking the University of Mumbai to reduce punishment awarded to them for carrying notes in examination hall.

The Bombay high court on Monday showed leniency to four Master of Management Studies students from the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies by asking the University of Mumbai to reduce punishment awarded to them for carrying notes in examination hall.

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The division bench of justice PB Majmudar and justice Amjad Syed asked the university to reduce their punishment so that they miss only a semester instead of a complete academic year.

Rui Rodrigues, the counsel for the university, has been given time till Monday to intimate the court about university’s decision in this matter.

Four students were found carrying notes in their pockets during their first semester examination held between December 2 and 17, 2009.

The Unfair Means Committee of the university had in April 2010 declared their examination null and void and imposed a punishment under which they stood to miss an academic year.

These students then moved the high court challenging the punishment, and under interim orders continued to appear for second and third semester examination. Their counsel Mihir Desai contended that it was not even the university’s case that they used the revision notes found in their pockets for copying.

However, while doing so, the bench reminded the counsel that it should ensure those indulging in such practices should not go scot-free.

“Just consider what kind of persons they would become tomorrow, if they continue to indulge in such corrupt practices,” the judges said.

“A sin committed at a pious place is considered more grievous,” they added, clarifying the field of education is still considered virtuous.