Two first-year MBBS students of a private medical college in Tiruvallur district who could not appear for the public examination as the MCI had not granted approval for the institution for the relevant academic year of their joining, have now been given liberty by the Madras High Court to seek admission to the course afresh in the third round of counselling after condoning the delay in applying for it.
Disposing of writ petitions by the two students, Justice K.K.Sasidharan directed the authorities to consider the applications sympathetically taking into account the background facts. Such an exercise should be completed within one week from the date of application.
The Judge observed that the petitioners, R.Vijayaiswarya and A.K.Sahana were victims of the fraud played by the management of D.D.Medical College and D.D.Hospitals, Tiruvallur. The students alone were not responsible for this sorry state of affairs. “The statutory authorities also failed to act swiftly by taking action against the institution.”
Notwithstanding the fact that MCI failed to grant extension of approval for the academic year 2012-13, the college admitted students by playing fraud and misrepresentation. The petitioners were two such unfortunate candidates.
Counsel submitted that the two already lost one year. In case, the present situation continued, they would not be able to continue the course. Hence, the petitioners sought a direction to the selection committee to consider the petitioners’ case for admission to the first year MBBS course.
The Special Government Pleader (Education) submitted that the petitioners failed to submit applications before the cut off date. Hence it was not possible to permit them to participate in the next round of counselling.
Mr.Justice Sasidharan said the petitioners’ request warranted consideration by the authorities keeping in view the plight of poor students, who lost money and their valuable time.
