After allegations of irregularities in evaluation of answer scripts at a government institute in Dindigul were brought to its notice, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Wednesday refused to quash the charge memos issued against those involved. It directed the competent authority to expedite the disciplinary proceedings and give reasonable opportunity to the accused.
It is said that senior lecturers and lecturers of the District Institute of Education and Training, Dindigul, were deputed to evaluate the answer sheets. Allegations of irregularities and illegalities in evaluation of answer scripts and award of marks were made. The lecturers were said to have awarded excess marks to certain answer scripts.
In view of the large-scale discrepancies in the award of marks, competent authorities initiated action and framed charges based on the documents available on record. However, the lecturers, in their petition, sought to quash the charge memo, claiming that they had acted diligently and prudently and the marks awarded were based on key answers and guidelines.
Justice S. M. Subramaniam observed that in the era of transparency, identification of irregularities and illegalities was possible and the evaluation could be tested by referring to the answer sheets. Once the competent authority identified the discrepancies or illegalities in the award of marks, then suitable action was bound to be initiated.
The court further observed that such allegations were common nowadays at various universities and investigations were ongoing in such cases. The State must ensure a fool-proof system for proper evaluation of answer sheets.
The court disposed of the writ petitions filed by the lecturers by observing that the disciplinary proceedings must reach their logical conclusion.
