Background of the Case
The petitioner, Aditya Singh, a 17-year-old CLAT candidate, initially filed a plea before the Delhi High Court, alleging discrepancies in the CLAT UG 2025 examination paper. He identified errors in five questions, contending that these mistakes adversely affected his performance and, consequently, his prospects for admission to premier National Law Universities (NLUs).
Delhi High Court's Initial Ruling
On December 20, 2024, Justice Jyoti Singh of the Delhi High Court partially allowed Aditya Singh's plea. The court acknowledged clear errors in two out of the five questions highlighted by the petitioner. Justice Singh emphasized that the judiciary cannot adopt a hands-off approach when demonstrable errors are evident in examination papers. Consequently, the court directed the Consortium of NLUs to revise the CLAT UG 2025 results, incorporating corrections for the identified errors.
Appeals and Further Proceedings
Following the single-judge's order, both the Consortium of NLUs and Aditya Singh filed appeals. The Consortium contended that the court had overstepped by acting as an expert, arguing that the evaluation of examination answers should remain within the purview of subject matter experts. Conversely, Singh sought modifications to the ruling, asserting that errors persisted in three additional questions that warranted correction.
On December 24, 2024, a Division Bench of the Delhi High Court declined to stay the single-judge's order, noting the absence of prima facie errors in the findings. The Bench permitted the Consortium to proceed with declaring the revised results in accordance with the earlier directive.
Petitioner's Move to the Supreme Court
During a hearing on January 7, 2025, Aditya Singh informed the Delhi High Court of his intention to approach the Supreme Court to seek the transfer of his case, along with similar cases pending in other High Courts, to the apex court. He argued that consolidating these cases would ensure uniformity in judicial proceedings and prevent contradictory judgments across different jurisdictions. Acknowledging this submission, the Delhi High Court adjourned the matter to January 30, 2025.
Implications of the Case
The CLAT UG 2025 examination serves as a gateway for admission to NLUs across India. Allegations of errors in the examination paper have significant implications for the credibility of the selection process and the future of aspiring law students. The petitioner's move to seek a transfer of the case to the Supreme Court underscores the need for a centralized judicial review to address these concerns comprehensively.
Legal Framework for Transfer of Cases
Under Article 139A of the Constitution of India, the Supreme Court has the authority to transfer cases involving the same or substantially similar questions of law pending before different High Courts to itself. This provision aims to ensure consistency in judicial decisions and prevent conflicting judgments. The petitioner's application to the Supreme Court will invoke this constitutional provision, seeking consolidation of all related CLAT UG 2025 cases.
Conclusion
The ongoing legal proceedings concerning the CLAT UG 2025 examination highlight critical issues related to the integrity of competitive examinations and the mechanisms for addressing alleged discrepancies. The petitioner's initiative to seek a transfer of his case to the Supreme Court reflects a strategic effort to achieve a uniform resolution to the concerns raised by multiple candidates across the country. The outcome of this legal endeavor will have far-reaching implications for the administration of standardized tests and the judicial oversight of such processes in India.
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