Anusha Gupta And Another v. National Testing Agency Through The Director And Other

$~2 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + LPA 688/2025 & CM APPLs.70385-90/2025 ANUSHA GUPTA & ANR.

.....Appellants Through:

Ms. Abiha Zaida, Advocate along with appellants-in-person versus NATIONAL TESTING AGENCY THROUGH THE DIRECTOR & OTHER.

.....Respondents Through: Mr. Chetan Sharma, ASG with Mr.

Sanjay Khanna, SC with Ms. Pragya Bhushan, Ms. Vilakshna Dayma, Mr.

Akshat Chauhan, Ms. Anshu Kumari, Mr. Amit Gupta, Mr. R. V. Prabhat and Mr. Naman, Advs. for NTA Ms.

Avshreya Pratap Singh Rudy, CGSC with Ms. Usha Jamnal, Ms.Nyasa Sharma and Ms. Prajna Pandita, Advs.

for UOI.

CORAM:

HON'BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE TUSHAR RAO GEDELA

O R D E R

% 22.12.2025 1.

The present Letters Patent Appeal has been filed challenging the order dated 22.09.2025 passed by the learned Single Judge in W.P.(C) 5904/2025 titled "Anusha Gupta & Ors. vs. National Testing Agency (Through the Director) & Ors." The learned Single Judge dismissed the writ petition, holding that the response sheets relied upon by the appellants were not genuine as per the report submitted by National Cyber Forensic Laboratory (NFCL), and imposed costs on the appellants.

2.

We have heard the learned counsel for the parties and perused the impugned order. We find no infirmity in the reasoning or conclusions arrived at The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.

by the learned Single Judge. The findings are founded on a detailed appreciation of the forensic report submitted by NCFL. The learned Single Judge noted that crucial browser logs corresponding to the relevant time of downloading the alleged scorecards were missing from the appellants' devices, warranting an adverse inference. It was further held that the appellants' claims were mathematically inconsistent and contrary to established examination procedures. The issues raised by the appellants essentially pertain to disputed questions of fact and allegations of manipulation, which are not amenable to adjudication in writ jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, 1950.

3.

On instructions, learned counsel appearing for the appellants has submitted that the appellants volunteered not to appear in the JEE examinations for the years 2025 and 2026 and have undertaken to that effect by way of an affidavit. The said affidavits are on record. 4.

Mr. Khanna, learned counsel for NTA, states that although the appellants have been barred from appearing in the JEE examinations for the years 2025 and 2026, there is no bar on the appellants appearing in any other examinations. 5.

Keeping in view the aforesaid facts and considering that the appellants are young students who have recently completed their Class 12 board examinations, and so that their future is not adversely impacted, this Court, while upholding the impugned judgment in its entirety, deems it appropriate to clarify that the debarment shall not be treated as a stigma for their future academic pursuits.

6.

In the facts of this case, instead of upholding the imposition of costs, this Court restricts the penalty to an admonishment. 7.

It is expected that the appellants shall not repeat such conduct in future. 8.

The appellant no.1 is directed to render community service at an old age home situated at Jhansi, namely Vrindha Ashram ITI, FHG2+CHC, Unnamed The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.

Road, Pal Colony, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh - 284003, for a period of one month commencing from 15.05.2026 to 15.06.2026, on all days between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

9.

The appellant No.2 is directed to render community service at a child care centre situated at Ghaziabad, namely Gharonda Bal Ashram, Vishnu Enclave, Hapur Road, near Petrol Pump and Panchsheel Society, Shastri Nagar, Ghaziabad - 201002, for a period of one month commencing from 15.05.2026 to 15.06.2026, on all days between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. 10.

The Officer-in-Charge/Superintendent of the respective old age home and child care centre shall mark the attendance of the appellants on a daily basis and issue certificates certifying the services rendered by them. The said certificates shall be duly attested by the District Magistrate, Jhansi and the District Magistrate, Ghaziabad, respectively. 11.

The appellants shall file the attendance sheets and certificates so issued before this Court within two weeks from the date of completion of the aforesaid period of service.

12.

Present appeal is disposed of alongwith pending applications, if any, in the aforesaid terms.

13.

The Registry is directed to communicate this order to the aforesaid two homes namely, (1) Vrindha Ashram ITI and (2) Gharonda Bal Ashram and also to the District Magistrate(s) of Jhansi and Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, forthwith. DEVENDRA KUMAR UPADHYAYA, CJ TUSHAR RAO GEDELA, J DECEMBER 22, 2025/rl The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.