The Hindu : New Delhi News : Apex Court pulls up varsity for casual approach to CET

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Aug 17, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

Apex Court pulls up varsity for casual approach to CET

Legal Correspondent

Rs. 1-lakh costs slapped; revaluation of answer papers ordered

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday set aside a Rajasthan High Court judgment dismissing petitions by students challenging a common entrance test conducted by Maharishi Dayanand Saraswathi University for admission to medical and dental courses.

Passing orders on a special leave petition, a Bench, comprising Justice Y.K. Sabharwal and Justice A.K. Mathur, directed re-evaluation of papers of the CET conducted for Rajasthan government medical colleges and 50 per cent State quota seats in private medical colleges.

"Revalue papers"

The Bench directed the university to revalue the papers within three days, prepare a fresh merit list and make admissions on its basis during the second round of counselling scheduled for August 25.

Students who were already admitted during the first round would not be disturbed.

The students said the alternative answers given for six questions were wrong, resulting in loss of marks. However, the High Court declined to interfere with the admissions.

"Exercise caution"

The Bench said all universities conducting CETs should exercise abundant caution in setting question papers as such lapses would undermine merit and the larger interest of students.

Taking a serious view of the casual approach of Dayanand University in setting the question paper, the Bench slapped costs of Rs. 1 lakh on it and said this money should be utilised for students' welfare.

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