Coming to the aid of an engineering student, who was barred from writing semester exam on grounds of lack of attendance after he participated in a student protest in March last, Madras High Court has directed the college to allow him to continue the course.
Allowing a petition by Jeswin Samuel, student of Holycross Engineering College at Vagaikulam, Justice S Manikumar and Justice G Chockalingam of Madurai Bench held that the college management could not prevent him from appearing for university examination on grounds of lack of attendance after barring him from classes without suspending him or issuing charge memo.
The petitioner sought a direction to allow him to write the 6th semester examination as he had 65 per cent attendance.
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The Judges said that it was the mistake of the college which prevented the student from attending the classes without suspending him and issuing charge memo. Hence, the student need not repeat his sixth semester and he should be allowed to write the examination.
In fact the college need to be imposed a fine for preventing him from attending clases without following any formalities and rules. But as the student had to pursue his education,the court was desisting from imposing any cost, the Judges said.
The Judges also pointed out the college had agreed during the Peace committee meeting that no disciplinary action would be taken against the students who participated in a meeting which was organised after a girl student committed suicide allegedly upset over being pulled up in public by a teacher.
While advising the student to focus on studies, they said the college should not disturb or hinder the student.
