Colleges can't retain records: Kerala High Court

Kochi: A division bench of Kerala High Court has upheld a single bench order holding that college managements have no right to retain certificates of MBBS students on merit seats who fail to undergo one-year compulsory service in rural areas. The Bench issued the order while dismissing the appeal filed by Principal of MES Medical College at Perinthalmanna in Malappuram seeking to quash the order of Single Judge.

The Single Judge had held that managements can only take steps against the students who fail to undertake rural service under civil law and the bonds signed by the students at the time of admission do not empower the managements to retain their certificates. The Single Judge had issued the order after considering a batch of petitions filed by students of MES Medical College questioning the management’s decision not to return the original certificates submitted at the time of admission. The Bench observed that there is no need to interfere the judgment issued by Single Bench.