The Karnataka High Court on Thursday restrained the State government from announcing the II PUC examination results for fresher students. A division bench of Justice B V Nagarathna and Justice Hanchate Sanjeekumar said "In the circumstance awaiting a comprehensive decision by the state govt. The State shall not announce the results of those students who have to take the second PUC...
The Karnataka High Court on Thursday restrained the State government from announcing the II PUC examination results for fresher students.
A division bench of Justice B V Nagarathna and Justice Hanchate Sanjeekumar said "In the circumstance awaiting a comprehensive decision by the state govt. The State shall not announce the results of those students who have to take the second PUC exams this year for the first time."
It added "It is needless to be observed that a comprehensive decision shall be taken bearing in mind all categories of students."
Orally the court said "Don't announce the results of these fresher students. Consider, if you can put all these repeaters and freshers in the same basket, minus the private students, give them the benefit which is offered to the fresher students. Ultimately it is a chance, whether they have scored good marks or not in the I PUC examination, because of this pandemic if they have their results they can appear for CET or NEET."
The court gave the direction while hearing a petition filed by SV Singre Gowda. During the hearing the government advocate informed the court that there are around 76,387 repeaters students. These include students who want to improve their previous performance or those students who appeared last year and failed.
Further, it was informed that there are around 17,477 private students who have not given I PUC exams and their marks are not available. Thus they may have to compulsorily appear for the II PUC exams.
Advocate R P Someshekharia, appearing for the petitioner, informed the court that he would not press for relief for private students but only for repeaters. The government also informed the court that a 12-member expert committee is constituted for examining the issue of holding exams or not. The recommendation of the committee is awaited and sought time to place on record the state government decision.
To which the court said "There has to be a level playing field, for everyone. One set of students (freshers) will pass and get admission in colleges and repeaters students and others may not. The freshers will be far ahead without sitting for exams. There has to be parity or not." It added "How are you going to balance their interest? you have to tell us that."
The plea prays for quashing of the notification dated June 3 by which passing off all II PUC students (freshers) based on the marks obtained in I PUC class, but without extending the said benefit to repeaters and private students. Alternatively it seeks to direct the authorities to modify the notification and give benefit of passing of II year PUC to repeater students and private students on the basis of marks obtained in I PUC.
The court has now posted the matter for further hearing to July 5.