The future of Vittala, a postgraduate student of Mangalore University, hangs in the balance as it is unclear whether he will be able to appear for his second semester examination. The last date to pay the examination fee is March 26.
Mr. Vittala, a student of Master of Communication and Journalism course, and his father Linganna were arrested from their house at Kulthur village in Belthangady taluk on March 3 on the charge of aiding Maoists. He has been in judicial custody since March 19.
Mr. Vittala's mother Honnamma and her relative Poovappa met Vice-Chancellor T.C. Shivashankar Murthy on Wednesday, requesting that Vittala be given the form that would allow him to answer the semester examination after paying the fee.
However, Prof. Murthy said that university rules stated that the form could be given only to the student concerned. According to the legal adviser of the university, since Mr. Vittala was now in judicial custody, the form could be given only on the direction of the court. He said that Mr. Vittala could petition the judiciary to intervene and allow him to fill the form, or with the permission of the court allow him to authorise another person to collect the form on his behalf.
Ms. Honnamma said that she would petition the court, requesting that he be allowed to answer the exam.
