In a hearing that ran longer than expected on Wednesday morning, the Rajasthan High Court strongly pulled up Jaipur National University for retaining a student’s original academic certificates, calling the practice legally unsustainable. Justice Anuroop Singhi’s order came just two days before the student’s new university examinations were scheduled to begin, adding an unusual sense of urgency inside the courtroom.
Background
Eshita Gupta, a former MBBS student, had completed two years of the course before withdrawing due to health issues. She later secured admission to Pearl University, Delhi, for a design programme starting in 2025. However, when she requested the return of her Class 12 Transfer Certificate and Migration Certificate-documents she had submitted at the time of admission-the medical university declined to hand them back.
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With exams at Pearl University beginning 5 December 2025, she approached the High Court through a miscellaneous application pleading for immediate release of the documents.
Court’s Observations
During the hearing, Justice Singhi closely examined the university’s justification that the documents could be retained until the completion of the MBBS course due to fee-related obligations. The bench was not convinced.
“The bench observed, ‘A student’s original documents cannot be used as a tool to force payment of future fees. Their purpose is verification, and nothing beyond that.’”
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The court pointed out that neither the information booklet, nor the affidavits signed by the student and her parents, nor any clause shown by the university gave it the authority to hold the certificates as security. It emphasised that educational institutions are free to recover lawful dues through legal means, but not by blocking a student’s academic mobility.
Justice Singhi also noted precedents from the Punjab & Haryana High Court and Madras High Court, all holding that original certificates are the property of the student and cannot be retained for fee recovery. The judge said this consistent judicial view reflected a “clear intention to protect students from coercive practices.”
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Decision
In a firm directive, the High Court ordered Jaipur National University to release both documents-Transfer Certificate and Migration Certificate-“forthwith and not later than tomorrow”, considering the student must submit them to Pearl University before the exams.
With that, the court disposed of the application and listed the main writ petition for further hearing on 22 January 2026.
Case Title: Eshita Gupta vs. Jaipur National University & Anr.
Case No.: S.B. Civil Writ Petition No. 7084/2024
Case Type: Misc. Application in Civil Writ Petition
Decision Date: 03 December 2025