High Court to DU: Non-availability of paper cannot be a justifiable cause for the failure of issuance of degree certificates [Read Order]

On 6^th July, 2020, The High Court on Delhi, comprising of Justice Prathiba M. Singh, in the case of Dhritiman Ray v. University of Delhi & ors takes a serious note of the fact that issuance of degree certificates to students is being delayed in this manner, that too due to completely unjustifiable reasons. The non-availability of paper and printing facilities cannot be a justifiable cause especially when the careers and educational prospects of students are at stake.

Facts

The Petitioner completed his M.A. in Psychology with a First Division from the Zakir Hussain Delhi College, Delhi in 2017. The Petitioner obtained admission into several prestigious colleges including Kings College London, Edinburgh University, Glasgow University, etc. for pursuing his post-graduation. The Petitioner’s case is that he was also awarded the Commonwealth Scholarship by Kings College London, however, the same could not materialize due to the non-filing of the degree certificate in time, which was to be issued by the DU.

Contentions and Submissions by Petitioner and Respondent

The Petitioner submits that one final opportunity is available to him to avail of a scholarship from Glasgow University and if the degree certificate is not immediately uploaded by him on the portal, even the said opportunity is likely to be lost. He has thus been compelled to file the present writ petition due to the non-issuance of his degree by the Delhi University.

The respondent submitted that the reason for the non-issuance of the degree certificate is lack of proper quality paper and that the contract with the printer has also expired.

Court findings and Order

The Delhi High Court takes serious note of the fact that issuance of degree certificates to students is being delayed in this manner, that too due to completely unjustifiable reasons. The non-availability of paper and printing facilities cannot be a justifiable cause especially when the careers and educational prospects of students are at stake.

However, due to completely unjustifiable reasons such as lack of paper, lack of printing facilities, etc., the degree certificate has not been issued to the Petitioner.

 In the opinion of this Court, such an excuse does not justify the non-issuance of the degree certificate for a period of three long years, resulting in irreparable damage to the Petitioner’s further studies.

Further, the Court held that the Petitioner shall approach the office of Prof. Vinay Gupta, Dean, Examination, Delhi University, North Campus on 9th July 2020 at 3:00 p.m, to collect his original degree certificate (with or without the security feature). If any further email or letter is needed for the Petitioner to satisfy the foreign University that the certificate being issued is genuine, the same shall also be written by the Dean, to ensure that the degree certificate being issued is accepted by the said University or other authorities.

Further, the matter is listed for next hearing on 7^th August 2020

Read Order @Latestlaws.com