HIGH COURT ON FRAUDULENT PRACTICES BY NURSING COLLEGE, ORDERS COMPENSATION RUPEES TEN LAKHS FOR EACH STUDENT
In a significant judgment, the High Court of Karnataka, Kalaburagi Bench, uncovered shocking fraudulent practices carried out by Mother Marry College of Nursing. The court ordered the college to compensate the students for the loss of one year and directed the respondent university to take legal and administrative action against the institution. The decision was rendered on 21st June 2023 by the Hon’ble Mr. Justice Suraj Govindaraj.
The petition, filed under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution of India, sought relief for technical glitches in uploading student details for the B.Sc. Nursing course. The petitioners, represented by Sri Pradeep Kumar P.K. and Sri S.S. Mamadapur, urged the court to direct the respondent university to consider their representation and enable the web portal for uploading student details and issuing registration numbers without discrimination.
Upon examining the case, the court discovered alarming irregularities in the admission process. The Admission Register provided as evidence revealed fabricated entries, including the addition of students’ names after the deadline for uploading details. The court expressed grave concern over the college’s fraudulent actions, which were evident from the way students’ names were manipulated in the records.
Justice Suraj Govindaraj expressed his disappointment at the college’s actions, stating, “The petitioner No.1 College is playing with the lives of the students and their parents who had their hopes and aspirations… The serious omissions and commissions on the part of the petitioner No.1 College cannot be overlooked.”
Considering the impact on the students, the court ordered Mother Marry College of Nursing to compensate each of the petitioner students, Bhosale Tejas Ashok, Makasare Vishwajit Sanjay, Gawari Sahil Ashok, Alhat Shubham Bhagwan, Shaikh Numan Rafik, Bidkar Sachin Sunil, Tribhuvan Akash Prakash, Borde Kunal Changdev, Parsaiyya Ajay Somnath, and Alhat Suresh Devdan, with a sum of Rs. 10,00,000/- (Rupees ten lakhs only) each. The compensation was intended to alleviate the loss suffered by the students due to the college’s fraudulent activities.
Furthermore, the court directed the respondent university to take appropriate action against Mother Marry College of Nursing, including filing a criminal complaint and initiating administrative measures. The original Admission Register and Attendance Register, which served as crucial evidence, were returned to the respondent university for further action.
The court’s ruling emphasized the need for a thorough investigation by the appropriate authorities, and the possibility of criminal action against the college was not ruled out. The judgment serves as a stern reminder that fraudulent practices in educational institutions will not be tolerated.
This judgment sets a precedent for upholding the integrity of the admission process and ensuring the well-being of students. It serves as a wake-up call to educational institutions to uphold ethical standards and prioritize the interests of the students they serve.
Date of Decision: 21st June, 2023
MOTHER MARRY COLLEGE OF NURSING vs THE REGISTRAR RAJIV GANDHI UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES KARNATAKA
