Medical College Admission Dispute: Supreme Court Rules on Compensation for Student's Lost Year

The case of Riya George vs. Kannur Medical College is a significant ruling by the Supreme Court of India regarding admissions to medical colleges and the consequences of non-compliance with admission regulations. The case revolves around the petitioner, a medical student, who sought compensation for the loss of an academic year due to irregularities in the admission process by Kannur Medical College. The Supreme Court examined the procedural lapses and determined whether the petitioner was entitled to damages.

Background of the Case

The dispute arose from the admission process for MBBS students in Kerala. Following a ruling in Sankalp Charitable Trust v. Union of India (2016), the Supreme Court mandated that all MBBS/BDS admissions should be conducted through the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). The Government of Kerala implemented this directive by requiring medical colleges to admit students only through centralized counseling conducted by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE).

The petitioner, Riya George, qualified NEET 2016-17 with a 94.36 percentile and applied for admission to Kannur Medical College. However, the college violated regulatory guidelines by admitting students without following the centralized counseling process. The Admission Supervisory Committee for Professional Colleges in Kerala (ASC) intervened and canceled the admissions granted by Kannur Medical College due to non-compliance with its directives.

Legal Issues and Chronology of Events

Petitioner’s Admission and Subsequent Cancellation

The petitioner secured admission on 26 September 2016 after submitting all required documents and paying Rs. 21.65 lakhs as fees and deposits.
On 2 October 2016, the ASC canceled the admissions granted by Kannur Medical College.
The college challenged the cancellation order before the Kerala High Court.
Despite multiple appeals, the High Court upheld the cancellation.
On 22 March 2017, the Supreme Court refused to interfere, confirming the cancellation.
The petitioner was left without admission despite securing a seat and paying substantial fees.

Attempts to Seek Redress

In September 2017, the petitioner’s father requested the college to refund the fees and return her original documents.
The college refunded Rs. 20 lakhs, and the father withdrew the complaint against the college, stating a full and final settlement had been reached.
However, the petitioner later sought additional compensation, claiming that the refund was obtained under duress.

Supreme Court’s Observations and Judgment

Arguments by the Petitioner

The petitioner argued that she had lost a valuable academic year due to the misconduct of Kannur Medical College. She contended that:

The college violated NEET admission rules, causing her admission to be invalidated.
Despite securing admission and paying fees, she was forced to seek alternative admission the following year.
The refund of fees was insufficient compensation for the mental and financial hardship suffered.

Arguments by the Respondents

The college countered that:

The petitioner had voluntarily accepted Rs. 20 lakhs in settlement and withdrew her complaints.
All disputes had been amicably resolved, and there was no basis for additional compensation.
The petitioner failed to disclose material facts in her writ petition, including the withdrawal of earlier complaints.

Supreme Court’s Key Findings

The Supreme Court acknowledged that the petitioner had suffered a loss of an academic year due to the college’s actions. The Court also noted that:

The petitioner’s claim for additional damages was complicated by the fact that she had earlier accepted a settlement.
The withdrawal of complaints was not necessarily voluntary, as parents often face financial and procedural pressures.
The petitioner was entitled to be compensated, but quantifying damages in a writ petition was not appropriate.

Final Judgment

The Supreme Court ruled that:

“The petitioner would be entitled to the benefit of the principle which was formulated in the orders of this Court dated 29 August 2018 and 4 October 2018.”

The Court referred the matter to the Admission Supervisory Committee for Professional Colleges in Kerala to decide the quantum of compensation. The Committee was directed to complete the process within three months.

Legal Implications of the Judgment

This ruling has significant implications for student rights and educational institutions:

Adherence to Admission Regulations: Medical colleges must strictly follow NEET-based admissions to avoid legal consequences.
Student Rights: Students affected by illegal admissions have a right to seek redress, including refunds and damages.
Judicial Oversight: Courts will intervene in cases where colleges engage in malpractices affecting students.
Procedural Compliance: Institutions must maintain transparency in the admission process to avoid legal disputes.

Conclusion

The Supreme Court’s decision in Riya George vs. Kannur Medical College reinforces the importance of transparent and lawful admission processes in medical education. While the petitioner received a refund, the Court recognized that financial compensation alone could not undo the loss of an academic year. By referring the matter to the Admission Supervisory Committee, the Court ensured that an independent body would assess the compensation due to the petitioner.

This case serves as a precedent for ensuring that medical colleges comply with NEET regulations and do not engage in malpractices that can disrupt students’ careers. It also highlights the need for legal recourse for students who are unfairly affected by institutional negligence.

Petitioner Name: Riya George.
Respondent Name: Kannur Medical College.
Judgment By: Justice Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, Justice Hemant Gupta.
Place Of Incident: Kerala.
Judgment Date: 20-02-2019.

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