Gujarat High Court Quashes IIM Ahmedabad's Shocking Decision to Expel 3 Students Over Academic Shortfalls

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The Gujarat high court has dealt a significant blow to the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) by setting aside the expulsion of three students from its Doctoral Programme in Management (DPM). The students - Abhilasha Kumar, Atul Gupta, and Uthara PK - were denied promotion to the second year due to academic shortfalls. According to the court, IIMA had exceeded its authority by expelling the students at the end of the first year. Justice Nikhil S Kariel stated that the institute's manual does not allow for such action, and that the students should have been given the opportunity to review, rectify, and meet the required standards. The court also pointed out that the manual provides students with two years to complete the coursework, with an additional year to meet the required standards. The expulsion orders were issued on June 7 and confirmed in appeal on June 18. However, the court rejected IIMA's stand that it had complied with the DPM Manual. The students, who had been accused of academic shortcomings, including one student who cited fake references generated through Artificial Intelligence in an assignment, argued that they should have been heard before being expelled. IIMA had maintained that it had given the students a fair hearing, but the court disagreed. The high court's order has been uploaded online and is seen as a major victory for the students. The institute has not commented on the decision yet. The case highlights the importance of following due process and giving students a fair opportunity to meet the required standards. It also raises questions about the use of Artificial Intelligence in academic assignments and the need for proper verification of sources.