A judge of the Gujarat High Court on Monday directed a student from the Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar (IIT-Gn) to exit the courtroom, citing what he deemed as inappropriate clothing. The student was appearing for a hearing on her petition challenging a semester-long suspension imposed by the institute for alleged indiscipline.
The student, who was wearing jeans and a shirt, had approached the court against the suspension order issued by IIT-Gn for reportedly rude behavior toward staff and the use of threatening language. The institute had described her conduct as "unbecoming of an IIT-Gn student."
When the student's counsel attempted to justify her attire, Justice Nizar Desai remarked, "Everyone has a choice and can exercise it, but it depends upon the place which she is visiting… This is for the first time in my life, but at the same time, if someone is coming to the court, he or she must be in proper attire." After the hearing concluded, the judge told her lawyer, "I am sorry, but I consider this (court) a temple of justice and people must maintain its dignity."
The senior lawyer urged the court to overlook the issue, stating, "The attire of the petitioner must and cannot affect the court's discretion."
The student, who is in the final semester of a Master of Arts in Social Development, argued through her counsel that the suspension stemmed from an exchange with an accounts officer over what she perceived as insufficient grant support for fieldwork and the manner in which she expressed her protest. The lawyer further contended that the institute's view of her behavior was influenced by an earlier incident in which she was removed from the hostel for allegedly staying in the boys' hostel. Since then, she has been residing off campus, as stated in the petition.
Seeking the high court's intervention to allow her to complete the course, the student's counsel also indicated that an apology would be submitted to the institute. However, the institute maintained that her earlier apology did not reflect genuine remorse.
After the hearing, the high court issued a notice to IIT-Gn, stating, "Notice, returnable on April 29, 2026… Over and above the normal mode of service/physical service, direct service, through email, is permitted, today." The matter is scheduled for further hearing on Wednesday.
