Krushi Va Gramin Vikas Pratishthans through the Principal v. the State of Maharashtra and Others
Case brief
What is this about?
Examination centre cancellation; HSC examination centre; Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education; Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Divisional Board; Article 226; Bombay High Court Aurangabad Bench; writ petition 2026; 2026:BHC-AUG:1975-DB; show cause notice timelines; speaking order; natural justice; reasoned order; non-application of mind; proportionality; single stray incident copying; zero tolerance cheating; copy-mukt abhiyan; competent committee; tadarth ad-hoc committee; QR code hall tickets; student hardship alternative centre; maintainability locus standi college; writ allowed; orders quashed; centres restored February 2026; undertaking safeguards directions; invigilator accountability.
What did the court decide?
All writ petitions allowed; impugned orders cancelling the petitioner institutions' examination centres (including the order dated 18.12.2025 passed by Respondent No.3) quashed and set aside; Respondent Nos.2 and 3 directed to restore and continue the examination centres for the ensuing examinations scheduled from February 2026, including standards X and XII, subject to conditions and safeguards: undertakings by each institution within two weeks; minimum precautions/facilitation at examination centres at the institutions' cost; mandatory orientation and sensitization of deputed invigilation/supervisory staff; prompt fair inquiry and proportionate disciplinary action against responsible staff rather than mechanical action against institutions; strict adherence to governing standards/timelines for any future closure (detailed show cause, disclosure of material, reasonable time, meaningful hearing before competent committee, reasoned order within prescribed timelines); uniformity and non-discrimination across centres; liberty to take stringent action on credible material of mass copying/connivance following due procedure; order to be circulated to institutions granted examination centres for Classes X and XII; Rule made absolute; no order as to costs.