Terming their conduct an “act of deceit,” the Supreme Court on Monday confirmed the cancellation of the admission of 634 students to the MBBS course made through Vyapam test in Madhya Pradesh between 2008 and 2012.
A Bench of Chief Justice of India J.S. Khehar and Justices Kurian Joseph and Arun Mishra held in an 87-page judgment that the action of the students was “unacceptable behaviour” and did not warrant any interference under Article 142 of the Constitution.
Rule of law
“The actions of the appellants are founded on unacceptable behaviour and in complete breach of the rule of law. Their actions constitute acts of deceit, invading into a righteous social order. National character, in our considered view, cannot be sacrificed for benefits —individual or societal,” the Supreme Court observed.
“If we desire to build a nation on the touchstone of ethics and character and if our determined goal is to build a nation where only the rule of law prevails, then we cannot accept the claim of the appellants for the suggested societal gains... We have no difficulty whatsoever in concluding in favour of the rule of law. Such being the position, it is not possible for us to extend to the appellants, any benefit under Article 142,” the court observed.
In its 87-page judgment, the Bench said the case highlighted “mass fraud,” and any leniency would encourage others to follow suit.
‘Chouhan should resign’
Reacting to the verdict, the Congress demanded the resignation of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
“The ruling has exposed that the corrupt network of mafia, power-brokers and officials of the Medical Education Department and the State Professional Examination Board was involved in getting these students passed through illegal means. Mr. Chouhan should resign immediately,” said Madhya Pradesh Congress president Arun Yadav. Congress leader Ajay Singh said the order had substantiated the accusations of a scam.
