PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Tuesday granted interim relief to two students and directed the Birla Institute of technology and Science (BITS-Pilani), Goa campus to allow them to answer their semester-I exams starting from Wednesday, without prejudice to the rights and contentions of the respondents.Both the students have also been asked to deposit Rs one lakh each.
The two students had challenged the order dated December 1, issued by the Joint Registrar of BITS Pilani imposing them the penalty of cancellation of their registration for the semester-I and also a fine of Rs 50,000 each for alleged indiscpline.
The petitioners prayed that they be allowed to answer their first semester exams. Arguing on behalf of the petitioners, Adv Parag Rao told the court action violated natural justice as three other students who were also allegedly involved in the incident of alleged theft were allowed to appear for the semester exams after paying a fine of Rs 50,000 each. There was no reason for disparity in the quantum of punishment, he said.
Adv Pravin Faldessai representing the respondents said that though the penalties was scaled down there was a considerable difference between the role played by the two petitioners and the other three students and urged the court not to entertain the petitions as it was a matter of discipline in the campus, as the institution had to face embarrassment on account of the acts of the petitioners and the three other students. Adv Faldessai said they will file a response to the issue raised in the petitions by December 15 while, the petitioners could file their rejoinder by December 22. The court posted the matter for final disposal at the admission stage on January 3.