Court Directs National Institute of Design to Provide Marksheets and Certificates to Student, Ensuring Career Progression
In a significant ruling, the Gujarat High Court has directed the National Institute of Design (NID) to release the mark sheets and degree certificates to Anjal Balabhaskaran, a student who successfully completed a five-year course at the esteemed institution. The court held that withholding these documents due to the pendency of a petition was unjustified and obstructed the student's career advancement.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Nirzar S. Desai, came in response to a civil application filed by Balabhaskaran, who was granted admission to NID under an interim court order on vacant seats. Despite completing the course, the institution had withheld his academic records, citing the ongoing legal proceedings.
Advocate Mr. Digant Popat, representing the petitioner, argued that the absence of official documentation severely hampered Balabhaskaran's professional opportunities, despite his successful completion of the course. The court concurred, noting that the applicant's career progression should not be stymied by procedural delays.
Opposing counsels, representing NID and other respondents, could not provide sufficient justification for withholding the documents. The court emphasized that the release of these documents would not prejudice any party and thus directed NID to comply within 15 days.
This decision underscores the judiciary's commitment to ensuring educational institutions uphold their responsibilities towards students, particularly in facilitating their entry into professional fields post-graduation.
Bottom Line:
Educational Institution - Student successfully completing course - Institution withholding marksheet and degree certificate due to pendency of petition - Court directed institution to provide marksheet and other relevant documents within stipulated time to avoid prejudice to the career of the student.
Statutory provision(s): Education Law.
Anjal Balabhaskaran v. National Institute of Design, (Gujarat) : Law Finder Doc id # 2856595
