Delhi High Court Reviews Law Student Attendance Policy

The Delhi High Court has directed the Bar Council of India (BCI) to reassess its attendance requirements for law courses in light of the tragic suicide of Sushant Rohilla, a student from Amity Law School, in 2016. The court emphasized the need to consider students' mental health and well-being while evaluating mandatory attendance norms, especially following the significant changes in teaching methods post-COVID-19. Sushant's death was attributed to immense academic pressure related to attendance, which led to his inability to sit for exams. The court has given the BCI's Legal Education Committee two weeks to file an affidavit regarding their position on attendance policies. Additionally, the court has postponed a hearing on the matter for November 6, allowing Amity Law School more time to discuss potential compensation for Sushant’s family. The case has sparked wider discussions about the impact of strict academic policies on student mental health.