Disabled student in Games conundrum

Mentally challenged volunteer of CWG debarred from writing exams; moves court

Mentally challenged volunteer of CWG debarred from writing exams; moves court

Vibhor Anand had joined the student volunteer programme for the Commonwealth Games thinking it was a once in a lifetime opportunity for him. But even after being selected as the head convener he is struggling to complete his education.


Betrayed? Vibhor Anand was chosen head convener for the student
volunteer programme

The mentally challenged third year law student of the Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University was assured of attendance benefit but according to him he was "backstabbed".
Alleging that he has been harassed and tortured in the end term examination (May 2010), he filed a petition in the Delhi High Court seeking justice.

Anand, who had to miss some classes after being selected as the head convener of student volunteers for Commonwealth Games from GGSIPU, was debarred from taking the examination.u00a0 "I was assured to get benefit of attendance for the period (January 11 to January 23, 2010 and February 8 to February 19, 2010) as I was engaged in the Games activity as per requirements of the Organizing Committee. I was also given a letter in writing for the same," he claimed.

However, Dean of University School of Law and Legal Studies (USLLS), Dr Suman Gupta refused to render the benefits to the complainant. Later he moved to the Delhi High Court and sought a stay order but his problems didn't end there.

"I am a specially abled law student with a past history of herpes encephalitis. Due to this condition I write very slowly. I applied for the help of a writer and extra time in the examination that commenced on May 10. I was told that my request had been approved by Dr. Gupta and the same was forwarded to the Controller of Examinations," Anand added.

Yet, on May 10 when Anand reached the examination centre, the invigilator allegedly refused to grant a writer as well as extra time. After the interference of an official a writer was provided to him at about 2:45 p.m. after wastage of precious 45 minutes. The answer sheet of the victim was also reportedly taken forcibly at 5.20 pm.

The Other Side

All the allegations made by him are baseless. Neither did I cause any trouble to him during the examination nor is my appointment illegal. In the last four years, he managed to pass in only 5 out of 30 papers. I have received written complaints from teachers against him. Even last year he was detained for poor attendance. He also submitted a letter of apology and these actions of his must be out of frustration. -u00a0Dr Suman Gupta, Dean, University School of Law and Legal Studies

"I should have been given time till 6 pm. but Dr. Suman Gupta snatched the paper. Due to this I could not complete my paper. On the consecutive day, Dr.Gupta repeatedly distracted me during the examination. She would visit the examination room about 20 times and disturb me with malafide intention," the complainant said.

He asserted that Dr. Gupta threatened him saying that she won't let him complete his degree. He also complained to the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar after examination.

Anand has also challenged the appointment of Dr. Gupta in the court. "She has been appointed illegally, without proper advertisement or facing selection committee as she does not possess requisite qualifications," he said.

When MiD DAY contacted GGSIPU registrar, B P Joshi, he refused to comment. Students Welfare Director at GGSIPU, Anup Beniwal, did not respond to various calls and SMS made on his cell phone.