Juhu college’s Optometry students can sit for exams: Bombay High Court

The Bombay High Court, by way of interim relief, has allowed a batch of 40 students of BSc Optometry to appear for their second semester exams, scheduled to be held on May 23.

The holiday bench of Justice Prakash Naik and Justice MS Karnik directed the University Grants Commission (UGC) to issue hall tickets to the students admitted by Lotus College of Optometry to appear for the exams. But, the students will not be able to claim any equity on the basis of this interim order.

The UGC is also directed to not declare the results of these students until further orders. The four-year course has been stuck in limbo after the government issued a communication in 2016 to the UGC, clarifying that Optometry is not a non-medical course and cannot be with the open university but will be governed by the process laid down by Maharashtra Medical Sciences Authority.

However, the college in Juhu had till then admitted the first batch of 40 students for the course. Following the de-recognition, the college moved the high court, challenging the notice issued by UGC to it, claiming it was arbitrary and illegal. The petition is still pending for admission in the court.

Last year, the court had allowed the students admitted by the college to appear for the first semester exams, and by another order it also directed the UGC to declare their results and admit them in the second year. 

Relief in sight

The HC directed the UGC to issue hall tickets to the students admitted by Lotus College of Optometry to appear for their exams. 
The UGC is also directed to not declare the results of these students until further orders.