In a recent development, the Madras High Court adopted a stern position against a private medical college, Sri Muthukumaran Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, for obtaining a Rs 2.7 crore capitation fee from the parents of five MBBS students without presenting necessary receipts. The case’s judge, Justice R Suresh Kumar, has ordered the college to deposit the money received and has stressed the repercussions if they don’t. This article will examine the specifics of the court’s order and explain how they affect the medical college.
The Order of the Court
The medical college must deposit the sum of Rs 2.7 crore, which reflects the capitation fee obtained from the parents, according to Justice R Suresh Kumar, the presiding judge. This directive is an important step in making amends for the college’s actions and ensuring the impacted persons receive justice.
Refusal of Potential Probe and Collection
The Crime Branch – Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID) may conduct an investigation into the Sri Muthukumaran Medical College Hospital and Research Institute if it asserts that the capitation fee was not collected. The court wants to prevent any attempts to avoid accountability and keep everything open during the investigation.
Using the Deposited Amount
The medical college is required by the court to keep the deposited money in a separate account. Additionally, scholarships for deserving students should be given out with the money in the academic year 2023–2024. This phase makes sure that the students who deserve it and have excellent academic potential receive the advantages of the capitation fee received.
Parents are not eligible for a refund
The parents of MBBS students who paid the capitation fee will not be entitled to a refund, the court has made clear. This judgement is supported by the fact that on August 30, 2019, parents admitted their children to the college without having the Selection Committee of the Directorate of Medical Education endorse their names. As a result, the court holds the parents culpable for sending their kids to school without the necessary licence.
Unauthorised Admissions Compensation
The court mandated that the college give up five management quota seats to the government quota for the academic year 2023–2024 as restitution for the five students’ unauthorised admittance. By taking this action, the college will be guaranteed to address the imbalance brought on by the unapproved admissions and to follow the established guidelines.
The National Medical Commission might take action
The Sri Muthukumaran Medical College Hospital and Research Institute is subject to sanctions from the National Medical Commission in addition to the court’s orders since it admitted a total of nine students in 2019 who did not meet the requirements. The Commission might take certain actions in order to safeguard the standards established by regulatory authorities and preserve the integrity of the medical education system.
