Madras University journalism department examination row: High Court orders a thorough internal inquiry
Justice C. Kumarappan issued the direction while dismissing a writ petition filed by one of the students R. Amanda Miriam Fernandez who had sought a direction to the university administration to declare the results of the examination in 'History of Communication' paper conducted for her and six others on May 11, 2024.
Expressing serious concern over a head of the department of the university having conducted an examination without prior approval from the competent authorities, the judge wrote: 'If such a thing is let lightly, the sanctity of the university's examination would be put at grave risk.'
When the writ petition was heard in April 2025, the university counsel V. Sudha contended that no examination in 'History of Communication' paper was conducted for the seven students, lacking attendance, on May 11, 2024. She also accused the petitioner of having produced a fake question paper in court.
Such submission forced Justice N. Mala to appoint designated senior counsel A.K. Sriram to inquire as to whether an examination was conducted on May 11, 2024 or not. After a thorough inquiry, the senior counsel confirmed that an examination was indeed conducted on that day by the HoD (in-charge) T.R. Gopalakrishnan.
However, going through the inquiry report, Justice Kumarappan found Mr. Gopalakrishnan to have told the senior counsel that only a 'mock exam' was conducted on May 11, 2024. The HoD also said that it was conducted in the interest of the students but unfortunately, the competent authorities did not approve the examination.
'Therefore, the question of conduct of examination is not the issue now, but the real issue rests upon as to whether such examination was authorized by the university or not? In the case in hand, from the narration of the above detailed discussion, it is amply clear that there was no approved examination conducted and the HOD has attempted to conduct examination with a probable hope that he would get concurrence from the academic committee,' Justice Kumarappan said.
He went on to state: 'Ultimately, he (HoD) himself had stated that such concurrence was not given by the Academic Committee... Therefore, this court is of the firm view that the university did not conduct any exam as contended by the petitioner. Consequently, the petitioner cannot have any relief from this court.'
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