Supreme Court Regularises MBBS Degree Despite Invalid ST Certificate
The Supreme Court has allowed a medical student to retain her MBBS degree even though her admission was based on a #fraudulent Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificate. A Bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan held that cancelling the degree would irreversibly harm a meritorious student who has already completed her course and is now studying under the general category.
The Court, however, upheld findings of fraud, barred the student and her family from claiming any future #ST benefits, and imposed a ₹5 lakh penalty on her father, payable to the National Defence Fund, for procuring the #fake certificate.
The ruling balances strict action against fraud with a one-time equitable relief to prevent career loss while reaffirming that fraudulent conduct will not be condoned.
Accordingly, the appeal was partly allowed.
Cause Title: CHAITANYA VERSUS THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA & ORS.