‘Expelled’ boy was poor in studies: School

Sixteen-year-old Deven Shah (name changed) who dragged his school — GD Somani Memorial School at Cuffe Parade — to the Bombay High Court for expelling him after he failed in Mathematics, will have to wait a little longer for relief. The court on Friday adjourned the case for four weeks.

Shah, a Lower Parel resident, had contended that as per the norms laid down by the council for the ICSE a student has to be promoted to the next class if he has passed in at least five of the seven subjects, including English. Shah had alleged that that the principal of the school forced him to leave the school and issued a leaving certificate on April 21.

In an affidavit submitted to the court on Friday, principal of the school Brian Seymour stated that the petition filed by Shah was “misconceived” and deserved to be dismissed by the court.

He stated that Shah’s academic record was not sound and he was not issued the leaving certificate after failing in one subject. Seymour said that Shah had secured 34% marks in Mathematics after being granted grace marks and did not meet the minimum passing requirement of 35%. He said that Shah had failed in two other subjects.

Seymour also denied allegations of forcing Shah to leave the school and said that the leaving certificate was issued after his parents asked for it.