'Alarming Situation': SC Stays Kerala Govt's Decision To Hold Physical Class XI Exams Amid Rising COVID Cases

The Supreme Court on Friday (3 September) stayed Kerala government's decision to conduct offline exams for Class XI students from 6 September amid the rising Covid-19 cases in the southern state.

The SC bench comprising of Justice A M Khanwilkar, Justice Hrishikesh Roy and Justice C T Ravikumar passed the order on a petition challenging the decision of the Kerala High Court refusing to interfere with the state government's decision to hold offline exams, reports LiveLaw.

The bench noted that Covid-19 cases are continuing to rise in Kerala, with over 30,000 cases being reported daily, accounting for nearly 70 per cent of the daily national cases.

"Prima facie we find force in submission made by petitioner that the state government has not seriously considered the prevailing situation before having physical exam proposed to be conducted in September this year," the SC bench noted in the order.

"There is alarming situation in Kerala. It accounts for more than 70 per cent cases of the country, with around 30,000 daily cases. Children of tender age can't be exposed to risk", Justice Khanwilkar orally observed, LiveLaw reported.

The next hearing regarding the issue is scheduled to be held on 13 September.