Karnataka High Court Rejects Law Student's Appeal Against Penalty Imposed For Indulging In Malpractice During Exams

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday dismissed an appeal filed by a law student challenging an order of the single judge which upheld the order of Karnataka State Law University, not permitting her to take future exams for indulging in malpractise during an examination.

A division bench of Chief Justice N V Anjaria and Justice M I Arun dismissed the appeal filed by Arthi B and said “The aspect that petitioner admitted to writing on the hall ticket and using it while writing the examination paper, stands in the forefront. Once the candidate has accepted all other contentions pale into insignificance, in as much as the admission will rule the adjudicatory process.”

The petitioner had appeared for the examination for the subject "Human Rights Law and Practice". The allegation was that she indulged in malpractice during the exam. The University constituted a Malpractice Consideration Committee (MPCC) and the petitioner was summoned to appear where she admitted the charge. Thus, a penalty was imposed precluding her from taking next two available examinations besides forfeiting her performance Human Rights paper.

During the hearing the counsel for the appellant submitted that MPCC is a fact finding-recommendatory body and cannot impose punishment. Further, it was claimed that the student was coerced to admit the alleged malpractice and thus there was a procedural improprietory.

Pleading to the Court's conscience, the counsel also contended that the petitioner hails from the most backward community and her father is a daily wager earner. It was submitted that she is the first law student from her family and may be given an opportunity to appear for her exam.

However, on going through the records and averments the court held “It is right that technicalities cannot be imported by the court while considering the cases of malpractices by students in examinations. The scope of judicial review is extremely limited in the present case. No case is made out to interfere with the order of the single judge. Appeal is meritless and is dismissed.”

Case Title: Arthi B AND Karnataka State Law University & OThers

Case No: WA 158/2025.

Citation No: 2025 LiveLaw (Kar) 99

Appearance: Advocate NAMAN VANKDARI M for Petitioner.