Advocate Rui Rodriguez appearing for the University said, "The direction to conduct the aptitude test is only in this case, otherwise it would have been held in November."
Rejecting the petition filed by a 75-year-old businessman to skip the aptitude test to pursue his doctorate degree, the Bombay High Court (BHC) has made it clear that policies laid down for academic standards have to be maintained and cannot be compromised on any grounds.
Stating the aptitude test as mandatory, a division bench of Justice S C Dharmadhikari and Justice Dr Shalini Phansalkar Joshi, turned down the plea but directed the University to treat his case as an exception and conduct the aptitude test for him within four weeks, and the results to be declared within two weeks thereafter.
Advocate Rui Rodriguez appearing for the University said, "The direction to conduct the aptitude test is only in this case, otherwise it would have been held in November."
The bench also added that, "The test should be carried out so that the petitioners academic pursuits are not frustrated."
Menjee Savla, 75, in his petition argued that when he had cleared the entrance exam as well as personal interview in 2012, then he need not appear for the aptitude test. He also mentioned that he had completed his Master of Arts from Mumbai University in 2004 and he wanted to pursue his doctorate degree in Political Science.Rodriguez argued that as per an ordinance of the University, a candidate wanting to do PhD with a score less than 55% in post graduation, it was mandatory to appear for the test.
The court after going through the records and the rules of University said that although it appreciated Savla's academic interest at the age of 75, University conditions couldn't be relaxed for him.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Bombay High Court")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}