G.Bavya v. Central University Of Tamil Nadu
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 06-02-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY G.Bavya ..Petitioner Vs
1. Central University of Tamil Nadu, Rep. by the Registrar, Neelakudi Campus, Thiruvarur - 610 005.
2. The Registrar, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Neelakudi Campus, Thiruvarur- 610 005.
3. Controller of Examinations, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Neelakudi Campus, Thiruvarur- 610 005.
4. Chief Warden, Girls Hostel, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Neelakudi Campus, Thiruvarur- 610 005.
..Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for the issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, call for the entire records connected with and relating to the Office Order dated 09.12.2025 in CUTN/ Reg.Sec/2024/Misc./29(2) passed by the second respondent and the consequential Office Order dated 10.12.2025 in CUTN/Hostel/Disp1./202425/009 (3) passed by the fourth respondent and quash the same as illegal, arbitrary and non-est in law and to consequently direct the respondents to
conduct the seventh semester viva voce for the petitioner and permit the petitioner to appear in the same and to permit the petitioner to attend the eighth Semester classes and participate in the semester examination and thereby enable the petitioner to complete her degree. For Petitioner:
Mr.S.Karthikeyan For Respondents:
Mr.K.Srinivasa Murthy for R1 to R4
ORDER
The writ petition is filed challenging the impugned order dated 09.12.2025 passed by the second respondent and the consequential order dated 10.12.2025 passed by the fourth respondent and to quash the same as illegal, arbitrary and non-est in law and consequently to direct the respondents to conduct the seventh semester viva voce and permit the petitioner to appear in the same and permit the petitioner to attend the eighth semester classes and participate in the semester examination and thereby enable the petitioner to complete her degree.
2. The factual background in which this writ petition arises is that the petitioner is said to have visited the boys' hostel. According to the petitioner, she merely visited it. Whereas according to the management, she had stayed in one of the boys' rooms, which was taken note of by another boy who had videographed her coming out of the boys' hostel and allegedly tried to blackmail her. It is in this context that disciplinary action has been taken against all three students and the present order has been passed.
3. No exception whatsoever can be taken to the stand of the respondent educational authorities, who have put their foot down and enforce discipline. Because it cannot be merely said that it is moral policing, the dangers of third persons blackmailing a girl can clearly be seen. Therefore, when students violate even an innocuous rule, they should be aware of the lurking dangers and the purpose for which such rules have been framed. However, considering the career of a student, when such mistakes are committed on account of indiscretion and young age, educational authorities generally take a motherly attitude and try to bring the student into the correctional path rather than jeopardising the student's career itself.
4. With that view in mind, when the Court directed the learned counsel for the respondents to reconsider the issue, the educational authorities, true to the wisdom of teachers and with a motherly attitude, have represented before this Court.
5. Keeping that in the background, when the Court requested the learned counsel for the respondents to get instructions regarding modification of the impugned order, without jeopardising the career of the student, while at the same time enforcing discipline in the campus by allowing the petitioner to attend the rest of the course online and permitting her to take the examinations, it is submitted that such a course is possible.
6. In view thereof, considering the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case and treating it as an extraordinary case, the impugned orders are modified, treating the ordeal so far undergone by the student as sufficient punishment and permitting her to undergo the course. The student shall not be admitted into the hostel and shall not attend classes in physical mode, but will attend the rest of the classes in online mode. In this regard, the written instructions submitted by the learned counsel for the respondents and the relevant portion are extracted hereunder:- "2.Without prejudice to the Respondents' rights and contentions, and in view of the academic future of the Petitioner and as per the directions from the Hon'ble High Court of Judicature at Madras, the Respondents are willing to extend the following conditional reliefs, subject to the orders of this Hon'ble High Court:
a. The Petitioner shall submit an unconditional apology before this Hon'ble Court of Judicature at Madras for the act of indisciplined behaviour and for causing reputational harm to the Central University of Tamil Nadu.
b. In order to enable the Petitioner to meet the mandatory requirement of 75% attendance prescribed for eligibility to appear for the CUTN Semester Examinations as per 5.6 of the CUTN Examination Manual, the Petitioner shall attend classes through online mode only. The Petitioner may be permitted to physically appear for the End Semester Examinations along with her parents (father or mother) and shall be allowed entry into the CUTN campus only on the dates of such examinations. c. Moreover, it is submitted to the Hon'ble High Court that the eighth semester consists of 10 courses of 29 credits. The details are as follows:
Out of the 10 courses, the petitioner may be directed to register online SWAYAM/NPTEL Courses for the following three courses:
i. Contemporary India and Education ii. Guidance and Counselling iii. Educational administration The deadline for enrolment for the said courses is 28.02.2026. The department will facilitate the petitioner to undertake the remaining six courses through online mode.
d. The field work-Working with Community (1 week) course (EDU8013) may be undertaken in her home town and the report may be submitted to the concerned department. e. In addition to this, the Petitioner shall undertake community service for a period of fourteen (14) days, preferably on the topic of Women Safety and Education, and shall submit a duly endorsed report along with a completion certificate to the competent CUTN authorities during the course of her Eighth Semester f. Further, with reference to viva voce examination for the petitioner in the seventh semester, it is submitted that the said examination was already over between 10.12.2025 to 13.12.2025. Therefore, the petitioner must register again for the said course for which the CUTN may adhere to 5.
2 of CUTN Examination Manual by considering it as supplementary/special supplementary examination. The respondents will abide by the decision whatever passed by this Hon'ble High Court. It is further submitted that the above concessions are being extended purely as a one-time measure and shall not be treated as a precedent in any other case. The Petitioner shall strictly adhere to all rules, regulations, and disciplinary norms of the University henceforth.
The respondent respectfully expresses sincere gratitude to the Hon'ble High Court for considering the concerns raised and also in maintaining students' discipline and decorum of the Central University of Tamil Nadu."
7. The unconditional apology tendered by the student is also recorded. Therefore, this writ petition is disposed of in the following terms:
(i) The petitioner shall be permitted to continue the course in the eighth semester through online mode and shall be allowed to write all the semester examinations.
(ii) With reference to the viva voce examination relating to the seventh semester, the same shall be conducted for the petitioner during the viva voce conducted in the eighth semester examination or at any time soon thereafter, so as to facilitate the student to complete the course at the earliest. (iii) It is made clear that upon completion of the course, in the conduct certificate or transfer certificate, there shall be no stigma attached to the student. (iv) During the examination period or viva voce, she may attend physically and during such period her parents, either her mother or father shall accompany her wherever she is staying.
(v) No costs.
06-02-2026 NSL
To
1. The Registrar, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Neelakudi Campus, Thiruvarur - 610 005.
2. The Registrar, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Neelakudi Campus, Thiruvarur- 610 005.
3. Controller of Examinations, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Neelakudi Campus, Thiruvarur- 610 005.
4. Chief Warden, Girls Hostel, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Neelakudi Campus, Thiruvarur- 610 005.
D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.
NSL 06-02-2026