NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to entertain fresh petitions seeking postponement of NEET 2020, scheduled to be conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on September 13.
“Now everything is over. Even review petitions have been dismissed,” a bench led by Justice Ashok Bhushan said dismissing the petitions.
The Bench had on September 4 dismissed a petition filed by six Cabinet ministers from as many non-BJP ruled states seeking review of its August 17 decision giving a go-ahead to JEE-NEET examinations.
On behalf of the petitioners, senior advocate Arvind Datar tried to highlight the practical difficulties given COVID-19 and sought it to be deferred by three weeks.
But the Bench said, “Mr Datar, exams will start in a few days… All arrangements will be made for the NEET exams.”
Senior advocate KTS Tulsi argued that COVID-19 cases were increasing and now there was 90,000 daily case.
Tulsi cited the example of the Bombay High Court’s recent order that said those who could not appear for the exam should be appropriately considered.
“Whether the students should be considered or not is for the body (conducting exams) to decide not for this Court to pass directions,” the top court said.
Advocate Shoeb Alam — appearing for one of the petitioners — said he was not seeking deferment of NEET.
“I want to point out some lacuna in the guidelines issued by the NTA which provided for students in containment zones etc to take the exam later on.
But the Bench refused to entertain the petitions, saying the authorities concerned will take all the necessary precautions for the safety of students.