Supreme Court to Hear MBBS Graduate’s Plea Against Degree Withholding
An MBBS graduate has approached the Supreme Court of India challenging a decision by her alma mater to withhold her degree and course completion certificate. This legal battle, recorded as Pooja Kumari Vs Union of India, centers around the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) seizure of fees she had paid during her studies.
The Supreme Court Bench, comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, has issued a notice to both the Central government and the college in question. The graduate’s plea contends that the college’s demand for a second fee payment to release her certificates is unjust.
Background of the Case
The student was admitted to the MBBS program at Chettinad Academy of Research and Education in 2017 through the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) counseling process. Over the course of her studies, she paid ₹1.13 crore in fees through legitimate banking channels and completed her studies, including a compulsory rotating medical internship.
In December 2021, the NIA initiated proceedings under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against certain relatives of the student, alleging Maoist affiliations. Her brother was implicated, but the student herself was not named as an accused. During the investigation, the fees she paid were seized by the NIA, being treated as alleged proceeds of crime.
Legal Proceedings and High Court Rulings
Following the NIA’s actions, the college refused to release her final MBBS degree and other certificates, insisting she repay the entire fee. The student contested this decision at the Madras High Court, arguing that she should not be penalized for the seizure of funds she had already paid.
Despite her arguments, a single judge ruled against her in April 2024. Upon appeal, the division bench upheld this decision in June 2026. The High Court acknowledged that educational certificates are generally not withheld for unpaid fees, but deemed this case an exception due to the seizure. They suggested the student should seek the release of funds from the special court handling the NIA case.
Appeal to the Supreme Court
The MBBS graduate has now turned to the Supreme Court, arguing that the High Court’s decisions impose undue consequences on her for criminal proceedings unrelated to her. Her legal representation includes advocates Rakesh Kumar, Harshit Sharma, Rupesh Kumar Sinha, Sataroop Dass, Aashish Kumar, and Tamanna Jangra. The respondents are represented by R Jawaharlal, Meghna Kumar, Sayyam Maheshwari, and Mayank Kshirsagar.
As the case proceeds, the Supreme Court’s response to the notice could significantly impact the handling of educational credentials in cases involving financial seizures related to criminal investigations.
