Private dental college fined for admitting ineligible student

Madurai, Feb 6 (PTI) The Madras High Court Bench here hasimposed a fine of Rs 5,000 on a private dental college foradmitting a student, who scored fewer than the minimumrequired aggregate of 50 per cent in the Plus Twoexaminations, and letting him study for one whole year withoutthe approval of Tamil Nadu Dr M G R Medical university.

Justice N Paul Vasanthakumar and Justice R Subbiahpassed the order while disposing off a writ petition filed bythe student seeking a direction to the university to approvehis admission. The judges were also dealing with a writ appealfiled by the varsity challenging an interim order passed by asingle judge on Dec 23 permitting the petitioner to pursue hisstudies and appear for examinations.

The Bench directed Ultra Trust, which manages Best DentalScience College situated at Tahsildar Nagar here, to pay thecosts directly to the student. Ultra Trust was also ordered torepay the student the fee of Rs 1.35 lakh collected from himat the time of admission.

Overruling the judgement of a single judge, the Benchsaid it "could not approve irregular admissions on sympatheticgrounds.

"The completion of course or writing of examination wouldnot confer any right on a candidate who had been admitted,violating the statutory provisions", it held.

According to the university, a candidate must have scoredan aggregate of 50 per cent marks in physics, chemistry andbiology to be eligible for admission to Bachelor of DentalScience course during the academic year 2008-09. But thepetitioner had scored only 46 per cent marks in thosesubjects.

On the other hand, the petitioner claimed that he wasadmitted to the college only after the chairman of the Trustassured him that 45 per cent aggregate marks in the threesubjects was sufficient for admission.

The college let the petitioner study for one year beforerequesting the university in June 2009 to approve hisadmission and permit him to appear for examinations. Theuniversity had refused to do so.