Punjab & Haryana High Court Disposes Writ Petition Filed Against Jindal Global University, Upholds Academic Integrity Principles

Keywords:

Punjab and Haryana High Court, O.P. Jindal Global University, Academic Integrity, Plagiarism, UGC Regulations 2018, AI-generated Texts, Academic Misconduct, Writ Petition, Institutional Autonomy, Legal Education

In a significant development, the Punjab and Haryana High Court, presided over by Justice Jasgurpreet Singh Puri, disposed of the Civil Writ Petition filed by Mr. Kaustubh Anil Shakkarwar against O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU). The Court observed that the primary concerns of the Petitioner had already been adequately addressed by the University, rendering the remaining issues raised in the petition as academic and moot.

Background of the Case

The matter revolved around allegations of plagiarism and academic misconduct by the Petitioner, who is a practising advocate and student at JGU. As per the University, significant evidence indicated the use of AI-generated content in the Petitioner’s academic submission for the course “Law and Justice in a Globalizing World.” The University, citing its adherence to the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Academic Integrity and Prevention of Plagiarism in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2018, had the authority to take strict disciplinary action, including expulsion, for plagiarism exceeding 60%.

However, in what the Court recognized as a benevolent and lenient approach, JGU allowed the Petitioner to retake the examination and restored the internal assessment marks without any punitive annotations on the academic transcript. This decision was communicated via an e-mail from the Registrar on October 13, 2024, which was found to have been concealed by the Petitioner in the writ petition.

Court Proceedings and Observations

During the hearing on November 14, 2024, Senior Advocate Mr. Chetan Mittal, representing JGU, argued that the writ petition was misconceived, as the relief sought by the Petitioner had already been granted. He highlighted that the Petitioner’s misconduct could have warranted severe consequences, including expulsion, under the UGC Regulations, 2018. Instead, JGU’s leniency enabled the Petitioner to continue their academic pursuits without prejudice.

The High Court reviewed the unofficial transcript provided by the University and the commitments made in the Registrar’s e-mail, satisfying itself that the Petitioner’s concerns had been duly addressed. Subsequently, the Court adjourned the matter to November 18, 2024, granting the Petitioner time to assess the situation. During this period, the University issued the official transcript reflecting the restored grades, as requested by the Petitioner.

On the final hearing date, the High Court, noting that the Petitioner’s primary grievance was resolved, disposed of the writ petition, deeming the remaining issues moot.

Statements from Legal Counsel

Senior Advocate Mr. Chetan Mittal, representing JGU, remarked:

“The decision of the High Court is both thoughtful and well-reasoned. The Petitioner, despite engaging in plagiarism, which could have led to expulsion, was granted relief through a repeat examination. It is unfortunate that the Petitioner chose to challenge the University’s decision, which was already lenient and benevolent. This ruling reaffirms the importance of academic integrity and institutional autonomy in higher education.”

Advocate Mr. Ajay Bhargava, Partner at Khaitan & Co., who also represented JGU, emphasized:

“The High Court’s dismissal of this case underscores the importance of maintaining academic honesty and intellectual integrity. The University acted fairly and reasonably by addressing the issue without imposing the harshest penalties, even though the Petitioner’s conduct warranted strict action under UGC regulations.”

Academic Integrity and Institutional Autonomy

The case highlights the critical balance between upholding academic integrity and exercising institutional autonomy. By allowing the Petitioner to retake the examination and restore their grades, JGU demonstrated a commitment to fairness while maintaining its authority to enforce academic standards.

The High Court’s decision to dismiss the petition as infructuous sends a strong message to students and academic stakeholders about the consequences of plagiarism and the value of academic honesty in professional and educational settings.

Conclusion

This ruling reiterates the judiciary’s support for higher education institutions in enforcing academic regulations. It serves as a precedent that students and professionals must adhere to the highest standards of integrity and accountability in their academic endeavors.

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