The Supreme Court on June 25, 2025, granted interim relief to a NEET-PG 2024 aspirant who was denied admission by ICARE Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Haldia, despite paying the full fee of ₹27 lakhs. The Court directed the institute to allow the student to attend postgraduate classes from June 26 onwards.
A bench comprising Justices KV Viswanathan and N Kotiswar Singh took note of the "peculiar facts" of the case and passed the order in favour of the petitioner. The Court clearly stated:
“The petitioner being duly counselled and having paid fees on or before 20.03.2025 should be permitted to attend the college in the seat allotted.”
As per the petitioner’s claims, although the last date for admission was March 20, 2025, he reported to the college only on March 27. The delay, he alleged, was due to the college demanding additional fees, a point the institute denied. Instead, the college argued that admission was denied because the petitioner failed to produce his MCC card.
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Despite these disputes, the Court observed that the petitioner was a validly counselled candidate who had paid the fee online before the official deadline. Considering this, the Court directed the college to allow him to join the M.S. (General Surgery) course under the Private Management Quota, which was allotted to him during the Special Stray Vacancy Round conducted by the West Bengal Medical Counselling Committee.
Earlier, the petitioner had moved the Calcutta High Court after the college refused admission. However, the High Court dismissed the plea, citing the delayed reporting date. Dissatisfied, the student then approached the Supreme Court.
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Representing the college, Advocate Varun Chandiok confirmed before the apex court that the seat allotted to the petitioner was still vacant and had not been offered to any other candidate.
“On a specific Court query, it was informed that the seat remains unallotted,” the bench recorded.
Given these circumstances, the Supreme Court passed an interim order allowing the student to attend classes starting June 26, 2025.
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Appearance: Advocates Ranjan Mukherjee, Gholam Mohiuddin, Anindo Mukherjee, Saurabh Bhushan and AoR Rameshwar Prasad Goyal (for petitioner); Advocate Varun Chandiok and AoR Amarjit Singh Bedi (for respondents)
