The Karnataka High Court has ruled that law students who have attended classes on the Indian Penal Code (IPC) but failed their examinations cannot be compelled to appear for supplementary exams in Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), a subject they were never taught.

Justice Suraj Govindaraj quashed a December 6, 2024, notification issued by the Karnataka State Law University (KSLU) mandating BNS exams for such students.

The court emphasized, "Students who studied IPC cannot be required to take BNS exams without receiving instruction in the subject."

The case was brought by petitioners Sachin R. and Prathisitha Nagar, represented by Advocate Pavana Chandra Shetty H., who argued that it was unreasonable to expect students to be examined on BNS, which was not part of their curriculum. KSLU’s counsel, Advocate Girish Kumar, contended that with the repeal of IPC and introduction of BNS, exams for IPC could no longer be held.

Rejecting this argument, the court directed KSLU to conduct IPC exams for students who had previously studied it, clarifying that the ruling does not apply to future students who will study BNS. The court also urged KSLU to avoid similar situations in the future.

Case Title: Sachin R. and Another v. Karnataka State Law University and Another [WP No. 34457 of 2024]