The students claimed that since they were failing the final examination by one or two marks, the University should consider their case sympathetically and award them grace marks required for passing.

Justice H L Dattu observed, ``I have all sympathies for students who have failed by just one or two marks. Learned counsels pleaded for directions touching all those strings of sentimentalism by emphasising that the careers of the students would be in jeopardy and the students and their parents might have to undergo hardship. It is ordinarily difficult to resist such pleas. However, I feel that listening to such grounds for merficul action will be at the cost of academic standards which have necessarily to maintained athigher levels at the state. While sympathising with their plight, I am unwilling to dilute the academic standards of educational institutions. That prayer, notwithstanding the pressing and persuasive character of the plea required to be rejected. Therefore, these writ petitions fail and accordingly, they are students.''