While questioning the transparency of the evaluation process adopted by Amedkar Law University, the Madras High Court has asked Government Advocate (Crl.Side) Dr. C. Pratap to evaluate the answer papers of a student’s Criminology and Penology Paper.

The Writ Petition before the High Court was filed for a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents to consider the petitioner's representation and revalue his answer paper and declare the petitioner as passed in Criminology and Penology in the 10th Semester BCA., LLB., (Hons) Course Examination.

The Single Bench of Justice N. Mala held, “After hearing both the learned counsels, I am of the view that the answer script annexed to the typed set of paper should be examined by Criminal side Practitioner.”

Advocate S. Surya represented the Petitioner while Advocate A.S. Kailasam represented the Respondent.

Factual Background

The case as presented by the petitioner, was that he had applied for 10th Semester exams and appeared in all four theory papers and one clinical paper. The petitioner, to his shock, found that he had failed in Criminology and Penology. Thereafter, the petitioner applied for revaluation, but his result was declared as FAIL with "NO CHANGE". According to the petitioner, he had a good academic record, and there was no possibility of his failing the examination. The petitioner thus filed the writ petition for the re-valuation of his answer script.

Reasoning

The Bench held that the answer script annexed to the typed set of paper should be examined by a Criminal side Practitioner. “In view of the suggestion of the State Public Prosecutor, this Court directs Dr.Mr.C.Pratap, Government Advocate (Crl.Side) to evaluate the answer papers of the petitioner and submit his report to this Court on or before 16.04.2025”, it further ordered.

The Bench also framed a few questions regarding the answer keys and the criteria adopted for awarding marks to be answered by the University.

Some of the queries put forth by the Court to the University are as follows:

  • Are answer keys provided for the Semester examinations as it appears that there is a lack of transparency in the evaluation process?
  • In the absence of answer keys what is the criteria adopted for awarding marks?
  • To provide data on the number of students who failed in their Semester examinations.
  • The number of students who applied for revaluation and retotalling in the past three years in the petitioner's course.
  • To provide data on the changed revaluation results.

“The University shall suggest the relevant Criteria and the weightage of marks to be given to each criteria, so that a more rationale procedure could be adopted for evaluating the answer papers”, it concluded.

Cause Title: Sunil M.P Petitioner v. The Tamil Nadu Dr.Ambedkar Law University (Case No.: WP No. 10056 of 2025)

Appearance:

Petitioner: Advocates S.Surya, A.S.Kailasam

Respondent: Advocate M. Nallathambi

Intervener: Additional Public Prosecutor A Gokulakrishnan

Click here to read/download Order


Madras High CourtJustice N. Mala

Tulip Kanth

Assistant Editor

Tulip Kanth is an Assistant Editor at Verdictum having over 5 years of experience in the field of legal journalism and editing. She extensively covers judgments of the Supreme Court, High Courts as well as Tribunals. She has previously worked with a legal publishing website where she oversaw the work of other editors and has also created updates on notifications of different Government Ministries. She holds an English Honours Degree from SGTB Khalsa College, Delhi University and has completed her LLB course with specialisation in Corporate Law from Amity University.