The Karnataka High Court today admitted the public interest litigation (PIL) filed for cancellation of the computerised Common Admission Test (CAT) 2009 and reintroduction of the paper-and-pencil format for the MBA entrance exam. The petition was filed by a test taker, Harsha Shettigar.
The court has also issued notices to the convenor of CAT, director of Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore and principal secretary of Ministry of Human Resources Development. The court is expected to hear the matter next week.“The court took into account documentary evidence we presented and admitted the petition. We will look forward to the hearing next week,” Siji Malayil, the advocate representing the petition told Business Standard.
As evidence, the petitioner presented excerpts from blogs and interactions on social networking sites which had students discussing questions from the CAT despite having signed a non-disclosure agreement.
While Satish Deodhar, the convenor for CAT 2009, could not be contacted, IIM Bangalore Director Pankaj Chandra did not offer any comment.
In his petition, Shettigar, a 26-year old CAT taker from Bangalore, has contended that the computer-based exam was a failure due to mala fide administration.
