Introduction:

In a recent case before the Delhi High Court, Justice C Hari Shankar addressed the issue of handwriting evaluation in examinations. The case involved a student seeking re-evaluation of his answer sheets due to poor handwriting, highlighting the balance between readable answers and the responsibility of students in the examination system.

Arguments:

The petitioner, represented by Mr. Rohan Taneja and Ms. Prerna Bhardwaj, argued for re-evaluation of his answer sheets despite poor handwriting, emphasizing the right of students to have their papers evaluated. On the other hand, Mr. Mohinder J.S. Rupal and Mr. Hardik Rupal, representing the respondents, defended the initial evaluation by the examiner, citing the practical challenges faced by examiners in deciphering illegible handwriting.

Court’s Judgement:

Justice C Hari Shankar observed that while students are entitled to have their papers evaluated, they must write legibly to ensure proper evaluation. The court emphasized that examiners cannot be expected to evaluate completely unintelligible handwriting and refused relief in such cases. However, it permitted evaluation based on a typed transcript of the answer sheet, provided it accurately reflects the handwritten answers.