Bombay HC: Hingoli College Restores Exam Center After Cheating Incident

Summary: Late Rupchand Pawar Junior College in Hingoli had its examination center status taken away because of a single cheating incident. The court decided in favor of the college, giving back the center and stressing the need for fair procedures.

The Case Begins

On January 19, 2026, an important decision was made by the Bombay High Court, Aurangabad Bench, involving several schools, including Late Rupchand Pawar Junior College from Hingoli. The problem was the removal of examination centers because of alleged cheating during the February-March 2025 exams.

The Incident

The controversy began when a student was caught cheating during the English test on February 11, 2025. This one-time incident led to the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education taking away the examination center at Late Rupchand Pawar Junior College.

The Petitioners' Argument

Late Rupchand Pawar Junior College, along with others, argued that taking away the center was too harsh and unfair. They pointed out that:

• The incident was a one-time event involving just one student.
• There was no cheating found at the school level.
• The decision was made without a proper investigation or explanation.

Court's Observations

The court, led by Judges Smt. Vibha Kankanwadi and Hiten S. Venegavkar, noticed several mistakes in the process:

• The decision to remove the center did not have a detailed explanation.
• The rules for closing examination centers were not followed.
• The decision was made without thinking about the students who would have to travel further for exams.

Verdict and Directions

The court canceled the orders to remove the examination centers, stressing the need for fair and clear procedures. It ordered that the examination centers be given back with conditions like:

• Schools must make sure exams are conducted fairly.
• Authorities must provide trained supervisors.
• Any future decisions must follow a clear process with proper communication.

Moving Forward

The judgment emphasized the importance of keeping exams honest while ensuring that actions against schools are fair and justified. The ruling serves as a reminder that while stopping cheating is important, it must be done with fair procedures and consideration for everyone involved.