Gujarat High Court: Depression is a ‘serious illness’ in the context of COVID

A student studying at Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute was removed from the Institute for failing to complete the minimum requirement of earned credit. He stated that his mental health had severely deteriorated from January, 2020 and peaked in May-June, 2020 and hence he could not secure the require credit.

Some of the observations of the Court have been reproduced below-

“The depressive cycle which the petitioner suffered was during the period of COVID-19 pandemic itself. It was a period of wide-spread despondence. It is reasonable to believe that the situation brought about by the pandemic created an adverse effect on the tender-mind of the petitioner, who disengaged himself from the studies.”

“The stand of the respondent Institute to doubt is insensitive and departs from the facts stated in the letter of the parents fortified by the certificate of doctor.”

“In the facts and circumstances of the case and more particularly in the context of the currency of the pandemic period, the depressive state of mind and the depression created in the petitioner student, can be classified as serious illness.”

The cancellation of registration of the student was therefore, set aside.