Supreme Court Issues Notice on MBBS Graduate’s Plea for Degree Certificate After NIA Seizes ₹1.13 Crore Fees

The Supreme Court of India has issued notice on a plea filed by an MBBS graduate seeking the release of her MBBS degree and course completion certificate after the fees paid for her medical education were seized by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) during a criminal investigation.

Supreme Court Takes Up MBBS Degree Certificate Dispute

Supreme Court Issues Notice to Centre and Medical College

A Bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta has issued notice on the plea filed by Puja Kumari, who is seeking directions for the release of her course completion certificate and MBBS degree certificate.

The petitioner is seeking relief without being required to pay the medical college fees a second time. The matter has been listed for further hearing on October 13, 2026.

What Is the MBBS Graduate Seeking?

Puja Kumari has approached the Supreme Court seeking the release of her MBBS degree certificate and course completion certificate. Her plea relates to the fees that had already been paid to the medical college for her education.

The dispute arose after the NIA seized the amount paid towards her medical education during its investigation. The petitioner maintains that she should not be required to pay the same educational fees again to obtain certificates for a course she has already completed.

Why Was the MBBS Degree Withheld?

Puja Kumari had secured admission to the MBBS course at Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Chennai, through the regular admission process. She completed the five-year MBBS programme and subsequently completed her compulsory internship.

According to the court record, approximately ₹1,13,70,500 had been paid towards her medical college fees. The dispute arose after the amount paid for her education was seized by the NIA during a criminal investigation.

NIA Seized ₹1.13 Crore Paid Towards Medical Education

During its investigation, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) alleged that the funds used for payment of the medical college fees were traceable to money raised through illegal activities linked to the CPI (Maoist).

The NIA subsequently seized or appropriated the amount from the medical college. As a result, the college had not retained the fees that had originally been paid towards the student's MBBS education.

Student Maintains That She Was Not Involved in the Alleged Criminal Activity

The student has maintained that she had no involvement in the alleged criminal activities connected with the funds. The dispute is therefore not about whether she completed her MBBS course, but about the consequences of the seizure of the fees that had been paid to the institution.

She is seeking release of her course completion certificate and MBBS degree certificate without being required to pay the same medical education fees again.

MBBS Course and Internship Were Completed

The case record states that Puja Kumari completed the five-year MBBS programme and also completed her compulsory internship. Her present request before the Supreme Court concerns the release of the certificates following completion of the medical course.

Madras High Court Had Earlier Denied Relief

Before approaching the Supreme Court, Puja Kumari had challenged the withholding of her certificates before the Madras High Court. On June 17, 2026, a Division Bench dismissed her appeal and upheld the earlier decision refusing to direct the medical college to release the certificates without repayment of the fees.

The High Court considered the circumstances surrounding the seizure of the fees and the allegations concerning the source of the funds while examining the student's request for release of her MBBS certificates.

Why Did the High Court Decline to Direct Release of the Certificates?

The High Court noted that the matter involved an unusual combination of national security concerns, alleged terrorist funding and seizure of assets under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

Student Was Not Personally Arrayed as an Accused

The High Court noted that although the student was not personally arrayed as an accused, the medical college had lost the fees that had been paid for her education following the NIA's action.

This circumstance became an important part of the dispute because the student had completed her medical education, while the institution had already lost the amount received towards the course fees.

Student Could Pay the Fees Again to Obtain the Certificates

The Madras High Court left open the option for the student to pay the required fees again and obtain her certificates. At the same time, the court indicated that she could pursue appropriate remedies concerning the funds that had been seized.

The case involves the competing issues of a student's right to receive academic certificates after completing her course and the legal consequences arising from the seizure of fees during an investigation involving alleged criminal proceeds.

What Has the Supreme Court Decided So Far?

The Supreme Court has issued notice on Puja Kumari's plea seeking release of her MBBS degree and course completion certificate. The notice has been issued to the Centre and the concerned medical college.

However, the Court has not yet passed a final judgment directing the medical college to release the certificates. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on October 13, 2026.

The Supreme Court's issuance of notice should not be interpreted as an order allowing immediate release of the MBBS degree. The petition is still pending and the Court is yet to decide the substantive relief sought by the graduate.

Supreme Court Hearing Scheduled for October 13, 2026

The next hearing will determine the further course of the petition. Until then, the graduate's request for release of the certificates remains before the Supreme Court.

Why Is This Case Important for Medical Students?

The dispute goes beyond one student's degree certificate. It involves important questions concerning medical education, fee payments and the position of students when money paid to an educational institution is subsequently seized during a criminal investigation.

Supreme Court to Examine the MBBS Degree Certificate Dispute

The latest development is that the Supreme Court has agreed to examine the MBBS graduate's plea and issued notice to the concerned parties. The case follows the Madras High Court's June 17, 2026 decision, which had declined to direct release of the certificates without repayment of the fees.

The Supreme Court's next hearing is scheduled for October 13, 2026. Until a final order is passed, it remains important to distinguish between the issuance of notice and a final direction to release the MBBS degree certificate.