BRAHAM KUMAR KHAJURIA Vs. UNIVERSITY OF JAMMU

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE petitioner joined the discipline of M.Sc. Geology. Session was 1985 -87. It consisted of four semesters. In the third semester under course no. 502, the question paper which was there was said to be out of syllabus. All the students are said to have boycotted the examination. Thereafter, fresh paper was set. The examination of this paper was conducted/ alongwith 4th semester examination. The result of the third semester was however, declared after the result of the fourth semester. There is dispute regarding the factual position as noticed above. The petitioner submits that as he had obtained highest marks, therefore he is entitled to a gold medal.

(2.) THE stand taken by the respondents is that as per Regulation 30, of the Statute governing Masters Degrees programme, Gold medals and prizes are to be awarded only to those students who pass the Masters degrees programme within the prescribed period of two academic sessions consisting of four semesters. The petitioner, it is submitted did not qualify the said examination within the prescribed period of two academic sessions. This is the stand taken in paragraph "1" of the preliminary objections. For facility of reference, this para is being re -produced below: -

(3.) IT is the further case of the respondent university that the conduct of the petitioner is not taking part in the examination was examined by a Committee under the chairmanship of the Vice Chancellor. It is found that there was no valid ground for the students for not taking part in the third semester examination. The result of this semester was also declared. The petitioner was asked to reappear in the course no. 502. It is accordingly, submitted that the petitioner is not entitled to claim Gold Medal. Reliance is being placed on Regulation 36 of the Statute. This reads as under: -