The Punjab and Haryana High Court has recently dismissed a writ petition filed by Kaustubh Anil Shakkarwar, a practicing advocate and student at O.P. Jindal Global University, regarding allegations of plagiarism and academic misconduct.
The court, led by Justice Jasgurpreet Singh Puri, noted that the petitioner’s primary concerns had been adequately addressed, rendering the remaining issues moot.
Case Background
The petitioner challenged JGU’s initial action of marking him “failed” for submitting content with a high percentage of AI-generated text in the course “Law and Justice in a Globalizing World.” The university, in accordance with the University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations on plagiarism, had the authority to expel him for exceeding the permissible similarity limit of 60%.
However, the university adopted a lenient stance, allowing him to clear a re-sit examination and restoring his internal assessment marks as an extraordinary measure.
In an email dated October 13, 2024, JGU’s Registrar informed the petitioner that his final grade would be updated without any annotations indicating misconduct. This commitment was fulfilled, and an official transcript reflecting the updated grade was provided to the petitioner.
Court Proceedings
During the hearing on November 14, 2024, Senior Advocate Chetan Mittal, representing JGU, informed the court that the petitioner had concealed the Registrar’s email in his filing. Mittal emphasized that AI-generated submissions violate UGC regulations, and the university had shown considerable leniency by not pursuing expulsion.
The High Court reviewed the updated transcript and asked the petitioner’s counsel whether they wished to continue with the case. Counsel requested time to assess developments, leading to an adjournment to November 18. By then, the petitioner had received the signed transcript as promised by the university. Concluding that the petitioner’s grievances were resolved, the court dismissed the matter as infructuous.
Key Observations
Chetan Mittal noted that the case underscored the importance of academic integrity and praised the university’s decision to refrain from strict punitive measures. “The university provided the highest relief possible by permitting a re-exam. Instead of appreciating this leniency, the petitioner pursued a case that lacked legal merit,” Mittal stated.
Ajay Bhargava, Partner at Khaitan & Co., echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the court’s decision highlights the importance of intellectual integrity and professional conduct. “The university acted fairly and gave the student an additional opportunity, despite his clear violation of UGC regulations,” he added.
Conclusion
This decision reinforces institutional autonomy and the value of academic honesty, sending a strong message against plagiarism and academic misconduct. The court’s resolution affirms the balanced approach taken by JGU, setting a precedent for handling similar cases in higher education.
