Bombay HC relief to first year Mumbai University LLB students; can take both semester exams together

In a big relief to over 6,000 students of First Year LLB exams, scheduled to begin on January 29, the Bombay High Court has allowed them to take first semester exams in the second semester, as the admission process was delayed.

A division bench of Justice B R Gavai and Justice B P Colabawala, said "Considering the cascading effect of the delayed admission process which continued till December 2017, the students have got very less time to prepare for the forthcoming exams. Thus we allow them to appear for the first semester, in their second semester, if they don't appear, this semester."

Accordingly, the court has allowed the Mumbai University, to conduct the exams on January 29. However, if a student does not appear for an exam, he will not be declared failed and will be allowed to appear fresh as first semester instead of taking ATKT exams.

The directions were given while hearing a petition filed by two law students, seeking a postponement of the first semester examination. The students Sainath Pawar and Sharad Kohli, claimed that they took admission to the first year LLB, in the 3-year course, at G J Advani Law college, Bandra. The admissions were taken by December 22, 2017 which was the last date for extended institutional round LLB-3 intake on directions issued by the HC in a petition filed last year.

Advocate Rui Rodrigues appearing for the University said "The professors have taken extra lectures and completed the syllabus thus there is no need to postpone the exam date." To which the court said "We hope the University, takes proper steps."

Earlier, the court had passed a similar order for students appearing for LLM exams.

LEGALLY SPEAKING

• According to the HC, the cascading effect of the delayed admission process, students have got very less time to prepare for the forthcoming exams. 
   
• The court has allowed the Mumbai University to conduct the exams on January 29
   
• If a student does not appear for an exam, he will not be failed