Medical Council Of India vs Jss Medical College Anr
- SCC(2016) 16 SCC 669
- Neutral2016 INSC 43
- AIRAIR 2016 SC 588
- SCR[2016] 1 SCR 509
Ratio decidendi
The rule this decision rests on
The judgment consists principally of directions (relief ordered) rather than statements of law. However, the following ratios emerge: Where a medical college has admitted and permitted students to continue studies in breach of an earlier court order, students who have substantially completed their course (here, 4½ years of MBBS) may be permitted to complete and obtain a degree notwithstanding the earlier order, where the circumstances are peculiar and the interests of justice favour allowing the students to graduate. A medical college that fails to comply with court orders may be subjected to punitive costs imposed by the court, which costs shall not be recovered from or adjusted against students' fees or subsequent batches' facilities. A medical college in breach of court orders may have its intake capacity for a subsequent academic year reduced below its sanctioned strength as a disciplinary measure to enforce compliance with judicial directions.
Written by Miss Lucy from the judgment below, not taken from a headnote.
Judgment
As delivered
We have heard learned counsel for the parties as well as learned counsel for the students (interveners).
After hearing all the parties, we are of the opinion that in the interest of the students as well as the Medical Council of India and also to send a message across to the JSS Medical College and other medical colleges, the following directions are passed:
(i) Since the students have completed 4½ years of their MBBS Course and are likely to complete their course some time in June this year, notwithstanding the decision of this Court in Medical Council of India Vs. JSS Medical College and Another [(2012) 5 SCC 628], the students may be allowed to complete their course and obtain a degree in case they successfully complete the course. This order is being passed only on peculiar facts of this case.
(ii) Since the College has also not complied with the orders passed by this Court in the above cited case and has permitted the students to continue their studies, to send a message to the College and other medical colleges, we are of the view that it would be appropriate if the JSS Medical College is directed to deposit an amount of Rs.5,00,00,000/-(Rupees five crores only) in the Registry of this Court within four weeks from today. We order accordingly and observe that the conduct of the JSS Medical College is most unfortunate. The amount of Rs.5,00,00,000/-(Rupees five crores only) so deposited towards costs shall not be recovered in any manner from any student or adjusted against the fees or provision of facilities for students of subsequent batches.
(iii) Again, to send a strong message to the JSS Medical College and other medical colleges, we direct that for the next academic year, i.e., 2016-17, the JSS Medical College shall be permitted to admit only 150 students as against the sanctioned strength of 200.
With the above directions, the appeal stands disposed of. Pending application, if any, also stands disposed of.
.............................J. (MADAN B. LOKUR)
.............................J. (R.K. AGRAWAL) NEW DELHI JANUARY 12, 2016
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