College Linked to Home Minister Fined ₹15 Lakh for Denying Student MBBS Seat

Speedy Summary:

• The Karnataka High Court has directed Sri Siddartha Academy of Education (SSAHE), headed by Home Minister G. Parameshwara, to pay ₹15 lakh as compensation to a petitioner, Sanjana V. Tumkur.
• SSAHE denied Sanjana admission to an MBBS course in its medical college for the academic year 2017-18 despite her merit ranking and after she paid the first-year fee of ₹15.65 lakh and submitted original certificates.
• SSAHE later claimed that admissions were closed and submitted its list of admitted candidates, which included less meritorious students than the petitioner’s rank.
• Following advocacy efforts, SSAHE offered her a free seat in the 2018-19 academic year but did not honor this offer, forcing Sanjana to secure admission under management quota elsewhere at increased costs.
• The court criticized SSAHE for arbitrary practices including failure to act upon assurances made by its then chancellor in writing and imposing conditions (bank guarantee) that were not stated in the official admission prospectus.

Indian Opinion analysis:
The Karnataka High court’s ruling highlights significant concerns about accountability and fairness within private educational institutions deemed universities such as SSAHE when conducting admissions based on NEET rankings. Arbitrarily denying eligible candidates seats despite adhering to prescribed procedures undermines trust in merit-based systems integral to India’s education structure.

Additionally, conflicting statements regarding written assurances from senior officials reflect organizational gaps that could impact student livelihoods if left unchecked-a point especially critical given escalating costs for higher education like MBBS courses across India.

Such judgments reaffirm legal recourse opportunities available for wronged students while underscoring India’s broader need for regulatory consistency ensuring fairness among deemed universities handling thier independent counseling processes responsibly.

For more details: Read More