The case stems from a fee dispute involving students admitted in 2018 to the undergraduate medical program at Shri Guru Ram Rai Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, a constituent of Shri Guru Ram Rai University, in Uttarakhand. The students completed their course in 2023, but the crux of the issue revolves around the significant fee hike implemented by the Uttarakhand Admission and Fee Regulatory Committee for the academic years 2018-2022.
Initially, the fee was set at INR 4 lakhs per annum for state quota seats and INR 5 lakhs per annum for all-India quota seats. However, the Fee Regulatory Committee revised these fees to INR 9.78 lakhs for state quota and INR 13.22 lakhs for all-India quota students in March 2019. This drastic increase led to disputes and subsequent legal battles.
Legal Issues Involved
The case raised crucial questions regarding:
1. Legality of Fee Hike: The petitioners challenged the sharp rise in fees, arguing that they had been admitted at lower rates, and the subsequent increases were unfair and burdensome.
2. Authority of the Fee Regulatory Committee: The validity of the Uttarakhand Admission and Fee Regulatory Committee’s power to retrospectively apply revised fees was at the heart of the legal battle.
3. Right to Education and Post-Graduate Progress: A significant concern was whether the students could be compelled to pay the entire increased amount as a prerequisite for obtaining their degree certificates and moving forward with postgraduate studies or internships.
Court Proceedings and Observations
The students initially approached the Uttarakhand High Court, which directed them to deposit the revised fees in installments. On 3 April 2023, the High Court allowed students to deposit the outstanding amount in nine installments and ordered the college to issue provisional certificates for the completion of their course. However, the students were required to complete the fee payments before receiving their original documents.
The students then filed a Special Leave Petition (C) No. 19953 of 2024 in the Supreme Court, contending that the interim orders of the High Court were unfair and hindered their future medical practice and education.
The petitioners, represented by senior counsel Mr. Gaurav Aggarwal, emphasized that they had already paid a substantial amount (approximately INR 34 lakhs per student for all-India quota and INR 28 lakhs for state quota), inclusive of security deposits and previous installments.
The respondents—Shri Guru Ram Rai University and its constituent college—were represented by senior counsel Mr. Gopal Sankarnarayanan. They defended the fee structure, stating that it was fixed by the competent authority.
Supreme Court’s Decision
On 9 September 2024, a Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice Dr. Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, Justice J B Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra delivered its verdict, recognizing the plight of the students. The Court underscored that “the students cannot be left in the lurch to an uncertain future”, as many of them had completed their internships and were awaiting postgraduate opportunities.
The Court made the following critical directions:
1. Conditional Return of Documents: The Supreme Court directed that the petitioners be allowed to receive their original documents upon the payment of INR 7.5 lakhs each, over and above the amounts already deposited.
2. Undertaking for Balance Payment: The petitioners were also required to submit an undertaking agreeing to pay the remaining balance, should the High Court ultimately rule in favor of the revised fee structure.
3. Modification of High Court’s Interim Order: The Supreme Court modified the Uttarakhand High Court’s order, allowing students to continue their postgraduate studies or medical practice without further delay. However, the Court clarified that it was not making any final decision on the merits of the underlying writ petitions, which are still pending before the High Court.
Case Details:
– Case Number: Special Leave Petition (C) No. 19953 of 2024
– Bench: Chief Justice Dr. Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, Justice J B Pardiwala, Justice Manoj Misra
– Parties: Sahil Bhargava & Ors. (Petitioners) vs. State of Uttarakhand & Ors. (Respondents)
– Lawyers: Mr. Gaurav Aggarwal (for Petitioners), Mr. Gopal Sankarnarayanan (for Respondents)
