Delhi HC directs DU to allow answer-sheet inspection via RTI
In a move that might be welcomed by many students, the Delhi High Court has refused to stay a Central Information Commission (CIC) order directing the Delhi University to allow students to inspect their answer sheets via RTI. Reserving its final verdict for January 2019, the Delhi HC said that it would inspect the legal validity of the CIC order. Here are the details.
The issue originated in 2016 when a DU law student sought to inspect his answer sheet via RTI. However, the matter dragged on for two years, prompting him to approach the CIC. Subsequently, in June this year, the CIC ruled in favour of the student, and directed DU to allow answer sheet inspections via RTI in accordance with Section 2(j) of the RTI Act.
"It is clarified that this court has not stayed the impugned [CIC] order dated June 18, 2018, and inspection of the evaluated answer sheet shall be provided...as directed," said the Delhi High Court.
However, DU, which charges a fee of Rs. 750 from students for rechecking of a single copy, challenged the CIC order in the Delhi High Court and asked for a stay on the order. DU contended that the CIC order "would render the existing mechanism of providing hard copies...redundant". Between 2015-16 and 2017-18, DU earned Rs. 2.89cr for re-evaluation and rechecking of papers.
"The question of whether a student has any right to seek inspection of his/her answer sheets will be considered on the next date," added the Delhi High Court. The next hearing on the matter is on January 30.
