Delhi High Court: No Law Student Can Be Barred from Exams for Attendance Shortage

In a landmark judgment, the Delhi High Court on Monday ruled that no law student in India can be stopped from appearing in examinations on the grounds of attendance shortage. The court emphasized that educational policies should not become so rigid that they harm a student's mental health or academic future.

The division bench comprising Justice Prathiba M Singh and Justice Amit Sharma made this ruling while hearing a suo motu case that originated from the tragic 2016 death of law student Sushant Rohilla, who died by suicide after being barred from exams for low attendance.

The court observed, "Norms of education, particularly legal education, cannot be made so stringent as to cause mental trauma, let alone the loss of life of a student."

2016 Sushant Rohilla Tragedy Sparks Reform

The case dates back to August 10, 2016, when Sushant Rohilla, a third-year law student at Amity University, took his own life after allegedly being denied permission to sit for his semester exams due to insufficient attendance. His death triggered national outrage and drew the attention of the Supreme Court, which transferred the matter to the Delhi High Court in 2017.

The High Court noted that Sushant's case was a stark reminder of how extreme academic rigidity can lead to severe mental distress among students. The judgment aims to ensure that no student faces similar pressure in the future.

Court Directs Bar Council of India to Revise Attendance Rules

In its order, the court directed the Bar Council of India (BCI) to conduct a comprehensive stakeholder consultation, including student bodies, parents, and educators, to review existing attendance policies in legal education. The BCI has been asked to revise attendance norms to prioritize student welfare and mental health.

The bench further stated, "While consultations by the BCI are underway, no student enrolled in any recognized law college or university shall be detained from taking examinations or hindered in career progression due to lack of attendance."

Attendance Rules Must Not Exceed BCI Guidelines

The court also made it clear that no institution shall impose attendance requirements beyond the minimum prescribed by the BCI.

To ensure better transparency and support, the High Court directed law colleges and universities to implement the following measures immediately:

• Weekly updates of student attendance on official online portals or mobile apps.
• Monthly notices to parents or guardians about attendance shortages.
• Provision of extra physical or online classes for students lagging behind in attendance.

The judgment marks a major shift in legal education policy, signaling a more compassionate approach toward academic administration and student well-being.