The Punjab and Haryana High Court has temporarily stayed the expulsion order issued by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Rohtak against a fourth-year law student enrolled in the prestigious five-year integrated law program. The order, dated 6th January 2025, had expelled the student, citing certain allegations without granting him an opportunity to defend himself.
The petitioner, a resident of Ambattur, Tamil Nadu, challenged the expulsion in the court, arguing that the order was “illegal, mala fide, arbitrary, and against the principle of natural justice.” The student further contended that the impugned office orders violated the provisions laid down in the Academic Handbook of the Integrated Program of Law (IPL) at IIM Rohtak, and were against the interests of justice, equity, and fair play.
A fundamental aspect of the case was the manner in which the expulsion order was passed. The petitioner’s counsel argued that “without giving any opportunity of hearing to the petitioner qua the allegations alleged against him, straight away an order expelling the petitioner has been passed.” This, according to the petitioner's lawyer, was a violation of natural justice, especially since the student had earned his place in the prestigious academic institution based on his capabilities.
The dispute arose after the petitioner was denied access to his hostel room during the vacation period. The administration cited that students were not allowed to stay in the hostel during this time. The petitioner, however, argued that he had no alternative place to stay and was entitled to remain in the hostel as it was allocated to him as part of the course.
In response, the respondents’ counsel acknowledged that the impugned order did grant the petitioner the liberty to file an appeal. However, the High Court, in its interim order, noted that “it is not necessary for the petitioner to avail the remedy of appeal especially when the rules of natural justice have been violated.”
In a relief to the petitioner, the Court directed that the expulsion order be stayed until the next date of hearing, which is scheduled for 29th April 2025. The Court also directed that the petitioner be treated as a student of the institute and be allowed access to all the facilities he had been using before the expulsion order was passed, including attending classes and using hostel facilities.
This interim relief comes as the petitioner is scheduled to take exams from 25th January to 1st February 2025, with a mandatory 70% attendance requirement for eligibility, as per the Bar Council of India (BCI) rules.
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