In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court delivered justice to a candidate wrongfully denied medical admission in Maharashtra’s state quota for NEET-UG 2023. The Court directed the student’s accommodation in the first year of the MBBS(UG) course in the next session, NEET UG-2024, in the same college. Additionally, it mandated the College and Maharashtra Government to pay Rs. 1 lakh compensation to the candidate for the illegal cancellation of his admission.
The case stemmed from the student’s denial of admission due to a condition in Maharashtra’s admission regulations, citing his father’s out-of-state posting during document verification. However, the Court read down the rule, clarifying that a domicile claim for a state MBBS seat couldn’t be denied solely based on a parent’s out-of-state posting.
Rule 4.8.1., governing admission in Maharashtra for NEET-UG 2023, allows children of Union Government employees to seek admission despite passing exams outside Maharashtra, with conditions related to parental postings. The student’s admission was canceled by the college, citing non-compliance with Rule 4.8.1.
The Supreme Court reversed the High Court’s decision, reading down Rule 4.8.1., stating that the parent’s place of posting is beyond the candidate’s control. It ruled that regardless of parental posting, the candidate is entitled to a Maharashtra state quota seat.
The Court granted restitutive relief, restoring the student’s rightful admission in the next session due to the respondents’ unjust actions and judicial delays. It deemed admission in the ongoing session unfeasible, thus ordering restoration in NEET UG-2024.
This ruling sets a precedent for fairness and justice in educational admissions, emphasizing the importance of protecting candidates’ rights against arbitrary and discriminatory practices.
