The University also contended that the disease which the student was suffering from was a non-contagious one, and did not prevent him from carrying on their day-to-day activities.
The Court, on the contrary, found that psoriasis, while not contagious, is a serious disease that can affect vital organs and cause death.
“Since psoriasis is a skin disease which often takes grotesque forms, it can result in deep embarrassment for the afflicted person. A perusal of photographs that the appellant has placed on record shows that a large part of his body was infected. Thus, it would be unwise for anyone to underplay the seriousness of the disease, or the discomfort that it can cause to an afflicted person. Itching is a peculiar feature of the disease, which can lead to extreme discomfort.”
The Court noted that the University had trivialized the appellant’s condition by questioning his choice of a homeopathic doctor and had shown disbelief in his illness claim.
“One can take judicial notice of the fact that for certain kinds of skin diseases, homoeopathic medicine works and has brought relief to several patients. What is significant is that the University did not conduct any enquiry as to whether the appellant’s assertion that he was unable to attend his classes because of being afflicted with psoriasis was correct.”
Source: Barandbench
