In a resounding judgment echoing the principles of fairness and justice, the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has delivered a scathing rebuke to the University of Kashmir. The court’s ruling stems from a case where a BA student, Abdul Basit, found himself in the quagmire of academic injustice.
Basit, like many diligent students, diligently pursued his BA course at the University of Kashmir. However, his academic journey was marred by the university’s arbitrary actions, as revealed in the recent court proceedings.
The crux of the matter lay in the evaluation of Basit’s General English paper during the fifth semester examination for the 2017-18 session. Initially declared as failed with a mere 27 marks, Basit’s hope was rekindled upon discovering an unmarked answer. A revaluation ensued, revealing a score of 40 marks—clearly above the passing threshold.
Yet, the University, in a move akin to Kafkaesque bureaucracy, unjustly docked Basit’s marks to 34, citing a rule meant for a disparity exceeding 30%. This orchestrated downgrade led to Basit being coerced into a re-examination, a daunting prospect for any student.
Basit’s recourse to justice came in the form of a petition before the High Court, challenging the university’s arbitrary decision. His legal counsel, led by Advocate Bhat Fayaz Ahmed, argued vehemently, asserting Basit’s rights had been trampled upon by the university’s clandestine machinations.
In the courtroom arena, the University, represented by Senior Advocate Syed Faisal and Advocate Asif Maqbool, attempted to justify their actions. Yet, their defense crumbled under the piercing scrutiny of justice.
The Honorable Justice Javed Iqbal Wani, presiding over the case, left no room for ambiguity. He lambasted the university’s actions as “illegality and arbitrariness,” mandating compensation of ₹1 lakh to Basit as reparation for the injustice endured.
The court’s verdict resounded with the clarion call of justice, affirming that no student should be subjected to the whims of bureaucratic mismanagement. Basit’s ordeal stands as a testament to the resilience of individuals against institutional oppression, and the court’s ruling reaffirms the primacy of fairness in academic governance.
As the gavel fell, it echoed not only in the hallowed halls of justice but also in the hearts of countless students, heralding a victory for integrity and equity in education.
