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Journalism of Courage
In a judgment, the Supreme Court ordered 10 private dental colleges in Rajasthan to pay a penalty of Rs 10 crore each for admission irregularities, stating that their deliberate violations and unlawful practices required stern punitive measures.
The bench, comprising Justices Vijay Bishnoi and J.K. Maheshwari, criticised both the colleges and the state government, noting that such actions had compromised the standards of medical education. Additionally, the court directed the Rajasthan government to deposit Rs 10 lakh with the Rajasthan State Legal Services Authority (RSLSA) for failing to follow proper legal procedures in BDS admissions during the 2016–17 academic year.
This relaxation enabled certain students to secure admission despite not meeting the eligibility standards set by the Dental Council of India (DCI). Moreover, the implicated colleges admitted additional students beyond the 10+5% concession.
In its December 18 ruling, the Court extended relief to students admitted under these relaxations for the 2016–17 academic session, regularizing their BDS degrees. It did so by exercising its plenary powers under Article 143 of the Constitution to ensure complete justice.
Rishabh Sancheti, counsel for 59 students in the lead petition, stated that the Supreme Court has directed all beneficiaries of its relief to submit affidavits before the Rajasthan High Court. These affidavits require the students to provide pro bono services to the state government whenever called upon during calamities, disease outbreaks, or other emergencies.
The apex court further underscored that the dental colleges had flagrantly breached the 2007 regulations by admitting students beyond the permissible 10+5 percentile relaxation. It also criticized the Rajasthan government for granting such unauthorized concessions and for failing to promptly convey the decisions of the Central Government and the Dental Council of India (DCI).
“We are constrained to express our displeasure at the manner in which the standards of medical education have been undermined in the present case.
“The colleges committed blatant illegality and willful violation of the 2007 Regulations while admitting students beyond the 10+5 percentile, thus warranting strict punitive action,” the Court remarked.
The heavy penalties imposed on the colleges are not only a punitive measure but also a step toward ensuring better legal and procedural adherence in future admissions, Sancheti said.
The court has directed that the fine amounts be deposited with the RSLSA within eight weeks, and that the funds be utilised for the welfare of social institutions in the state, including One Stop Centres, Nari Niketans, old age homes and child care institutions.
