Dhritiman Ray vs University Of Delhi & Ors

Prathiba M. Singh, J

This hearing has been held through video-conferencing.

Ld. counsel for the parties submit that they have no objection in this Bench hearing this matter.

Mr. Dhritiman Ray, the Petitioner herein has been forced to file the present writ petition due to the non-issuance of his degree by the Delhi

University (hereinafter ‘DU’). The case of the Petitioner is that he has completed his M.A. in Psychology with a First Division from the Zakir

Hussain Delhi College in 2017. The convocation for students passing out in the said year has already taken place. However, due to completely

unjustifiable reasons such as lack of paper, lack of printing facilities, etc., the degree certificate has not been issued to the Petitioner. The Petitioner is

stated to have obtained admission into several prestigious colleges including Kings College London, Edinburgh University, Glasgow University, etc. for

pursuing his post-graduation. The Petitioner’s case is that he was also awarded the Commonwealth Scholarship by Kings College London,

however, the same could not materialize due to the non-filing of the degree certificate in time, which was to be issued by the DU.

Mr. Sarthak Maggon, ld. counsel appearing for the Petitioner submits that one final opportunity is available to him to avail of a scholarship from

Glasgow University and if the degree certificate is not immediately uploaded by him on the portal, even the said opportunity is likely to be lost.

Mr. Rupal, ld. counsel appearing for the DU submits that the reason for non-issuance of the degree certificate is lack of proper quality paper and

that the contract with the printer has also expired.

In the opinion of this Court, such an excuse does not justify the non-issuance of the degree certificate for a period of three long years, resulting in

irreparable damage to the Petitioner’s further studies. The DU ought to facilitate the process of obtaining degree certificates by students and

should, in fact, provide all possible assistance to students who wish to pursue further education and career opportunities. Instead, it is clear from the

correspondence on record that the Petitioner’s repeated requests for issuance of his degree certificate has not materialised.

A special certificate in lieu of the degree certificate was issued by the DU on 31st December, 2019, which, however, was not accepted by the

international universities as a degree certificate.

This Court is of the opinion that there needs to be a proper streamlined procedure with proper deadlines being fixed for issuance of the mark sheets,

transcripts, degree certificates, etc. so that students of DU are not inconvenienced in any manner. Accordingly, it is directed that Professor Vinay

Gupta, Dean of Examinations, DU shall appear before this Court on 7th July, 2020 and suggest a proper schedule and timeline for issuance of degree

certificates and other related documents as also the respective officers who would be personally responsible for the same.

Mr. Rupal, ld. counsel shall also obtain instructions and make a statement as to in what manner the degree certificate can be given to the Petitioner

at the earliest and in any case, before 10th July, 2020.

List on 7th July, 2020 at the end of the board.