The Madras High Court has directed the State Health Department authorities to respond to a writ petition by a girl who said that her candidature under the ‘disabled quota’ for MBBS course was found not eligible after she was subjected to a second medical examination.
Justice K.K. Sasidharan has posted the matter for hearing on July 1.
The petitioner, T. Nalini of Injimedu in Tiruvannamalai district, said she belonged to BC (other than Muslim). She had secured 1,071 marks out of 1,200. She met with an accident at a young age and her left leg was amputated below the knee. She was fitted with an artificial leg. She could walk and run. The District Medical Board at Tiruvannamalai assessed that she had 65 per cent locomotor disability. She applied for a medical seat. In the rank list of disabled persons, she stood 16th. There were 54 seats under the ‘disabled quota.’
She was issued the counselling form on June 18. Before filling it up, she was asked to appear before a panel of doctors. After examination, the doctors said something about her to the Secretary, Selection Committee. Immediately, the counselling form was taken back from her and she was orally informed that she had 75 per cent disability and not eligible for admission.
She said the District Medical Board was headed by the Joint Director of Medical Services. The Secretary, Selection Committee, without considering the certificate issued by the district board, subjected her to a fresh assessment of her disability. The panel of doctors without any basis or guidelines assessed her disability on the higher side, thereby depriving her of an MBBS seat. The selection committee did not give her any rejection order. Her candidature was rejected last year also. She said the committee’s action in rejecting her candidature was illegal.
