Vittala can write MCJ exams, says court

Mangalore, May 20: Puttur fast track court on Saturday directed the Mangalore jail authorities to make necessary arrangements for Mangalore University student Vittala Malekudiya, who is in judicial custody for his alleged links with naxalites, to write his second semester examination of Mass Communication and Journalism.

The examination is scheduled to be held between May 21 and 25.

The fast track court directed the jail authorities to take Vittala to the university and provide him with all facilities to write examination.

The development comes three days after Belthangadi JMFC denied him the permission to write exams based on a letter submitted by vice-chancellor T C Shivashankara Murthy. The VC had informed the court about Vittala's attendance shortage.

Advocate Dinesh Hegde Ulepady argued in the fast track court on Saturday that Vittala should not be denied permission as he had 80 per cent attendance prior to his arrest on March 3. Dinesh argued that the university has discretionary power to permit a student to write examination, even if he faces attendance shortage, under the penalty clause.

"I brought to the notice of the court that Vittala was absent in the class not intentionally. The university may allow him to write exam using its discretionary power," Dinesh said.

Vittala, belonging to Malekudiya tribe, was arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.