Court permits candidate to reappear in exam after procedural disruptions hindered performance, stressing the importance of fairness and mental equilibrium in examination conditions.
In a significant ruling, the Delhi High Court has directed that a candidate, Shivanjali Bhardwaj, be allowed to reappear for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) after her initial attempt was marred by procedural uncertainties during biometric verification. The judgment, delivered by Justice Jasmeet Singh, underscores the necessity of ensuring a fair examination process that does not compromise a candidate's mental equilibrium.
The issue arose when Shivanjali Bhardwaj's biometric verification process could not be completed before the exam commenced, despite her timely arrival at the center. The failure of the system caused her Aadhaar to remain blocked, leading to severe mental stress. This verification was only completed midway through the examination, disrupting her concentration and performance.
The court observed that such procedural disruptions could adversely affect a candidate's psyche, impacting their decision-making, speed, and accuracy. Justice Singh emphasized that fairness in the examination process is not limited to physical access but also includes maintaining a non-disruptive environment that supports a candidate's mental focus.
While the Grievance Redressal Committee's report, based on scientific and technical assessments, did not find procedural irregularities, the court highlighted that the psychological impact on the candidate was not sufficiently addressed. The Committee's observations did not account for the candidate's mental stress during the exam, which Justice Singh deemed a critical component of examination fairness.
The court dismissed arguments that reappearing would confer an undue advantage to Shivanjali, asserting that this measure merely restores her to the position she would have been in had there been no disruption. The ruling is specific to the peculiar facts of this case and is not to be treated as a precedent.
This decision aligns with the Delhi High Court's commitment to upholding the integrity and fairness of examination processes, ensuring candidates are assessed under conditions conducive to optimal performance.
Bottom Line:
Examination process fairness - Candidate subjected to procedural uncertainties during biometric verification adversely impacting mental equilibrium - Court permits candidate to reappear in examination to restore her original position without granting any undue advantage.
Statutory provision(s):
Constitution of India, 1950 Article 226
Shlok Bhardwaj v. Union of India, (Delhi) : Law Finder Doc id # 2849955
