HC Issues Notices to Principal of Kakatiya Medical College in Contempt Case
PG medical student challenges decision to bar him from writing the final exams
Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court has issued notices to the principal of Kakatiya Medical College, Warangal, for not allowing Dr M.A. Saiff Ali, a PG medical student accused in the death by suicide of Dr Preethi, to appear the final examinations of the regular MD course.
Justice K. Lakshman of the High Court was dealing with a contempt petition filed by Dr. Ali, who submitted that despite the court orders to allow him in the examination, the college principal was denying permission.
The allegations against Saiff are that he had harassed Preeti by ragging to such levels that she took the extreme step unable to bear the “mental torture”. As per the contention of the college there are evidences in the form of Whatsapp chatting in which Dr Preethi has expressed her agony with her colleagues. She wrote about being targeted and frequently scolded by Ali for every issue leading to psychological and mental harassment. Based on these grounds, the college suspended Ali for one year.
When the court directed the college to follow the principle of natural justice before deciding on his suspension, the college organised a hearing on the incident by its anti-ragging committee and suspended him based on the panel’s findings.
However, the High Court had set aside the suspension decision as he was already barred from attending for over six months.
The contention of the college is that Ali had joined MD anaesthesia PG course for the academic year 2021-22 at Kakatiya medical college but had not completed the requisite period of study and training and, therefore, he cannot be permitted to appear for the university’s final examinations in accordance with NMC regulations and university rules.
When Ali again approached the court for directions to the college, the High Court, after taking his attendance into consideration, directed the college to allow him for the final examinations. As the college refused to take his application, Ali filed a contempt case against the principal of Kakatiya medical college.