A Division Bench of the Karnataka High Court on Friday upheld the order of a single bench, which had said that the rules governing the admission to postgraduate degree and diploma courses under government quota, does not exempt candidates from the obligation of signing a bond to join for compulsory government service for a specific period.
A Division Bench comprising acting Chief Justice L. Narayana Swamy and Justice P.S. Dinesh Kumar passed the order while dismissing appeals filed by Varun B.R. and other doctors questioning the December 21, 2018, verdict of a single bench. The doctors, who had joined PG degree and diploma medical courses under government seats during 2015-16, had filed petitions before the single bench questioning the notification issued by the Directorate of Medical Education asking them to appear for counselling to deploy them for one-year government service as per the bond given by them at the time of admission to the course.
The single judge had held that the Karnataka Conduct of Entrance Test for Selection and Admission to Post Graduate Medical and Dental Degree and Diploma Courses Rules does not exempt candidates securing admission under the all-India quota from giving an undertaking for serving the government.
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While dismissing their appeal, the Division Bench observed the doctors had given undertakings and bound themselves for government service, and once bond is furnished, it amounts to voluntarily agreeing to do government service.