Bhopal: In a significant interim relief, the Gwalior Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court has directed the release of original documents of a doctor who challenged the enforcement of a ₹30 lakh seat-leaving penalty imposed by Shrimant Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Medical College, Shivpuri.
The Case
The petitioner, admitted to an MD (Physiology) seat through the All India Quota, had submitted his original documents to the college on February 25, 2025. Later, he received an offer from the University of Liverpool, UK, to pursue a Ph.D. However, since he had executed a bond undertaking to pay ₹30 lakh if he left the course mid-way, the college refused to return his documents unless the penalty was deposited.
Challenging this condition, the doctor approached the HC, calling the bond unreasonable, onerous, and violative of Articles 14 and 19 of the Constitution.
Arguments in Court
- Petitioner’s Counsel:
- Highlighted that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has itself raised concerns about seat-leaving bonds in medical colleges and urged states to review them.
- Pointed to multiple cases where such clauses caused students mental agony, depression, and even suicides.
- Referred to the NMC’s January 10, 2024 letter advising states/UTs to re-examine the policy.
- Cited earlier HC interim orders where courts directed release of documents on students filing affidavits of undertaking.
- College & State Government:
- Argued that allowing students to quit midway causes loss to the public exchequer, as vacated seats cannot be refilled mid-session.
Court’s Interim Order
After hearing both sides, the Division Bench of Justices Pushpendra Yadav and Anand Pathak ordered:
“As an interim measure, subject to the petitioner filing an affidavit of undertaking that he will deposit the amount as assessed by this Court if he fails, the original documents shall be released forthwith, not later than 02.09.2025.”
The bench clarified that:
- Release of documents will remain subject to the final outcome of the writ petition.
- If the petitioner loses, he must return the documents or pay the ₹30 lakh bond.
- The order does not create any equity in favour of the petitioner; the matter will be decided on merits.
Next Hearing
The HC has asked the State and the Medical College to file their replies within 10 days. The case will be taken up on September 2, 2025.
