Chennai: The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Chennai (North) slapped a fine of Rs 55,000 on a dental college for not returning original certificates to a student who discontinued the BDS course in 2011. The Forum also directed the college to return her original certificates to her in six weeks.
In the petition, M. Sundaravadanam of Pudupet submitted that his daughter S. Thirupurasundari was admitted in BDS course in July 2010 under the management quota at Priyadarshini Dental College and Hospital, Aminjikarai. While she was pursuing the second year she became ill. Due to her physical and mental ailments, she was unable to continue the course from August 2011.
He said he paid fees of Rs 1,80,000 for the first academic year 2010-2011 in September 2010 and Rs 1,82,000 in December 2011 for the second academic year. In January 2013, he sent a request to the college seeking original certificates along with the transfer certificate of his daughter. He sent reminders on several occasions. The management of the college replied stating that unless the pending tuition fees of Rs 2 lakh for the year 2012 - 2013 was remitted, the original certificates would not be returned.
Dejected over this, he approached various government authorities to instruct the college to return the certificates. As there was no response from the college management, he filed the petition. He sought direction to the college management to return the original mark certificates of 10th standard, 12th standard, community certificate and transfer certificate. He also sought a compensation for causing him mental agony.
In its reply, the management of the college replied that his daughter could not continue due to family circumstances. She was unable to cope with the curriculum and voluntarily left the course. The admission of the total number of students for the particular year was fixed at 100 by the authorities and any discontinuation in the middle of the course cannot be filled up and the vacancy will continue for the remaining period causing monetary loss to the institution. Stating that the college had not committed deficiency in service, the management sought to dismiss the complaint with cost.
The bench comprising President K. Jayabalan and member M. Uyirroli Kannan said that the institution must be blamed for giving admission to her without testing the merit of the student. Under the circumstances, the management cannot hold her certificates for the payment of balance fees. Hence, we hold that the college committed deficiency in service in not returning the certificate demanded by the complainant, the bench said.
Imposing a fine of Rs 55,000 on the college management, the bench directed the college to return her original certificates, 10th Mark Sheet, 12th Mark Sheet, Transfer Certificate and Community Certificate in 6 weeks.
