COMEDK Exam: Karnataka High Court to hear plea seeking postponement today
The Karnataka High Court on Thursday dismissed a plea seeking postponement of the COMEDK exam. The Consortium of Medical, Engineering and Dental Colleges of Karnataka (COMEDK) exam is scheduled to be held on August 19. Students have been demanding deferment of the exam as the coronavirus pandemic poses multiple risks before them. The petition, filed by Advocate Abdulla Mannan Khan, had sought withholding of he exam and postponement to a later date after the JEE Main and NEET examinations. The plea also said that there is no "immediate urgency" to conduct the COMEDK exam as "it will not have any effect on the students' academic future". COMEDK Undergraduate Entrance Test (UGET) is a state-level entrance exam conducted by the Consortium of Medical, Engineering and Dental Colleges of Karnataka. The petition before the court also submitted that Article 21 of the Constitution ensures one's right to life, and that also includes protecting oneself.
UPDATES:
5:05 pm: Order: At the outset, we find that there is already a delay in conducting exams owing to COVID-19. With the passage of time, Karnataka Govt went on to conduct 10th std exam and KCET 2020.
4:55 pm: COMEDK counsel: Tata consultancy is conducting the exam and they always follow the guidelines. The test is only conducted for 119 professional private colleges, with 20,000 seats.
4:52 pm: Advocate Khan: There is also a flood condition in Bihar, Kerala, etc amid COVID. The situation here is very much different from KCET petition. Further states that COMEDK is urging students to download Aarogya Setu app.
4:49 pm: Karnataka HC Bench: Candidates will suffer if exams are not conducted.
Advocate Khan: Others HCs have stayed the exams. States like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu etc are in lockdown.
Bench: With all due respect, other HCs are not functioning like we are.
2:00 pm: Hearing on the plea seeking postponement of COMEDK exam to start around 2.30 pm
12:00 pm: Hearing to begin shortly
10:58 am: The matter will be heard by Justices BV Nagarathna and Ravi Hosmani.
10:56 am: The hearing is expected to begin post 11 am.
10:55 am: Hearing on COMEDK exam to begin in Karnataka High Court shortly.
