Madras HC: Interim stay on PG med admissions refused

It directed the state and the Medical Council of India to file its counter on a plea challenging the MCI notification which insists that 50 per cent of the seats in private medical colleges shall be filled by the state and the rest based on the NEET merit list.

The first bench, comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice Abdul Quddhose, said “Prima facie, there is substance in the argument that minority institutions are entitled to special status and protection under Article 30. However, we find that the process of admission has already started. Since candidates have been selected in a fair manner based on rankings in NEET and only candidates from the community concerned have been recommended for admission as per their NEET rank, we do not deem it appropriate to pass an interim order at this stage staying the admissions.”

The bench directed the respondents to file counter-affidavits within two weeks and a rejoinder two weeks from that. The next hearing is on July 2.