By Weindrila Sen-
Supreme Court has today reserved its judgment on petitioner challenging the hold of final semester examination by September 30. The batch of petitions was filed challenging the 06.07.2020 guidelines of the University Grant Commission (UGC) to the Universities. The four hours long hearing via video conferencing by the bench comprising of Justices MR Shah, R Subhash Reddy, and Ashok Bhushan concluded on reserving the judgment on the case.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appearing for the UGC said that UGC has the power to give directions/guidelines, and they have a statutory and mandatory effect under the UGC Act. He further added that universities can seek an extension of the deadline but cannot ask for giving degrees without conducting examinations. SG Mehta added that Central authority is not at a superior position here to decide, as per the UGC Act.
The Hon’ble Supreme Court has asked the parties to submit their written submission in the next three days.