In Brief
The Supreme Court upheld the cancellation of MBBS admissions for over 600 students across multiple years (2008–2013) based on large-scale examination malpractice in Pre-Medical Tests (PMT) conducted by Madhya Pradesh's Professional Examination Board. The Board found systematic "mass copying" through expert analysis: students sat in planned pairs, roll numbers and examination centers were manipulated outside logical patterns, and their answers (especially incorrect ones) matched remarkably. The Court held that when the examination process itself is vitiated by large-scale conspiracy, the rule of natural justice (audi alteram partem) need not be strictly followed. Circumstantial evidence from computer analysis and answer-paper comparison sufficed. Courts should exercise restrained review of examining bodies' expert findings. Delay in detection did not render the action arbitrary; public policy against retention of benefits obtained through fraud outweighed equity considerations. The appeals were dismissed, though the judges diverged on whether extraordinary relief under Article 142 should be considered.
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.