Stays Mandatory Government Service and Rs 50 Lakh Penalty Clause for Four Weeks
Hyderabad : The Telangana High Court has granted interim relief to 46 super-speciality doctors by suspending the enforcement of compulsory government service and associated penalties outlined in a contentious state order. The doctors had challenged the government’s bond service policy and the withholding of their original certificates upon completion of their DM/MCh degrees.
The vacation bench, led by Justice J. Sreenivas Rao, issued a four-week interim stay on the joining order issued by the Directorate of Medical Education (DME), which required the doctors to report for duty by May 27, 2025. The court also temporarily suspended Condition No. 7 of the DME guidelines dated May 20, 2025, which mandated a Rs 50 lakh penalty for failure to comply with the two-year government service bond.
Background of the Case
The petitioners—who completed their super-speciality medical education during the 2021-22 academic year—argued that the 2017 government order mandating compulsory rural or government service violates their fundamental rights under Articles 14, 19, 21, and 254 of the Constitution. They also claimed that the policy was in contradiction to National Medical Commission (NMC) recommendations made in 2021, which discouraged such bonds.
The doctors contended that they were coerced into signing the Rs 50 lakh surety bonds at the time of admission under the threat of losing their seats, and that many had already served in government roles or other states. Their counsel, L. Ravichander, also cited previous court rulings where similar conditions had been challenged and stayed.
HC Order and Observations
The court, acknowledging the prima facie concerns raised, ruled:
“There shall be an interim suspension of condition No.7… for a period of four (4) weeks. However, if any of the petitioners intends to join the mandatory Rural Service Scheme, they are at liberty to do so.”
The court clarified that the relief is applicable only to the 46 petitioners involved in the current writ petition and will not affect ongoing counselling sessions or other candidates.
Implications and What’s Next
This interim order provides temporary relief to the petitioners while the court considers the legality and constitutionality of the compulsory service rule. The decision could have broader implications for similar bond policies in other Indian states and may influence the implementation of future service requirements for medical graduates.
Further hearings and a detailed ruling are expected once the court reconvenes after the vacation bench period.
