Supreme Court asks Medical College to deposit 5 crores as costs for not complying with its orders [Read Order]

Coming down heavily on a medical college for not complying with its orders in Medical Council of India vs. JSS Medical College, the Supreme Court, on Tuesday, ordered it to deposit five crores Rupees as costs. Apex Court bench comprising of Justices Madan B. Lokur and R.K. Agrawal specifically directed the College not to recover this cost to be deposited, from any student in any manner or to adjust it against the fees or provision of facilities for students of subsequent batches.

In Medical Council of India vs. JSS Medical College, the Court had held that High Court erred in permitting increase in seats of the college by interim order and had set aside the same. In spite of this order, the College allowed the students to continue their studies and those students are about to complete their course this year. Those students had appeared as intervening parties in this appeal.

The Court said that those students may be allowed to complete their course and obtain a degree in case they successfully complete the course, notwithstanding the observations made by it in the aforesaid judgment.

Terming the conduct of JSS Medical college as most unfortunate the Court said “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.”

The Court also said 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.

Read the order here.