In a recent ruling, the Madras High Court has refused to interfere with a National Investigation Agency (NIA) order that froze the tuition fees of a medical student. The NIA alleges that the funds used for the tuition were provided by a Maoist organization operating in Jharkhand. The division bench, consisting of Justices S M Subramaniam and M Jyothiraman, dismissed the petition filed by the student, who sought relief against the NIA’s decision.
During the hearing on Monday, representatives for the medical student argued that the private medical college’s administration was withholding her certification due to the frozen funds. Furthermore, the student has been summoned by the NIA to address the matter.
The court, however, was unpersuaded by the student’s plea to overturn the NIA’s freezing order. It maintained that she must appear before the NIA to provide a satisfactory explanation and formally request the release of the tuition fees.
The bench also questioned the assurance that a well-performing student would not join an extremist group, highlighting the complexity and sensitivity surrounding the case.