Gujarat HC Judge Asks IIT-Gandhinagar Student to Leave Courtroom Over Attire

A judge of the Gujarat High Court on Monday asked a student of Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar to leave the courtroom, citing concerns over “improper attire,” during the hearing of her petition challenging a semester-long suspension.

The student, who appeared in jeans and a shirt, had approached the court against disciplinary action taken by the institute over alleged indiscipline, including what IIT-Gandhinagar described as “rude behaviour” and use of threatening language towards staff.

Presiding over the matter, Justice Nizar Desai remarked that while individuals have the freedom to choose their attire, it must be appropriate to the setting. “This is for the first time in my life… if someone is coming to the court, he or she must be in proper attire,” he observed, later adding that the courtroom must be treated as a “temple of justice” where dignity is maintained.

The student’s counsel argued that attire should not influence the court’s decision, urging the judge to overlook the issue. However, the court maintained its position on decorum.

In her petition, the student—currently in the final semester of an MA in Social Development—claimed that the suspension stemmed from an exchange with an accounts officer regarding insufficient grant support for fieldwork. She contended that her protest was misinterpreted as misconduct.

Her lawyer also pointed to a prior incident where she was removed from the hostel for allegedly staying in the boys’ hostel, following which she has been residing off-campus. The institute, however, maintained that her conduct was “unbecoming” and that a previous apology lacked genuine remorse.

The High Court has issued a notice to IIT-Gandhinagar and scheduled the next hearing for April 29, 2026. The court also permitted service of notice via email in addition to standard procedures.