Saturday, January 5, 2013

DGME/Principal/Dean to ensure Fair and Transparent Admission in Medical


DGME/Principal/Dean to ensure Fair and Transparent Admission in Medical
Dr.Mukesh Yadav
Prof. & HOD, Forensic Medicine & Toxicology
School of Medical Sciences & Research
Sharda University, Greater Noida, U.P.
Ph. No.08527063514
Introduction:
An eye opener judgment of SC for puppet Directors/Principals/Deans and other authorities acting under influence of Private Management or for their own benefit, putting Quality of Medical Education in India.
SC punished to six faculty members including DGME, and Dean of a Government Medical College from Chhattisgarh on 13.12.2012.
Important Observations of Judgment: 
While disposing of the Civil Appeal No.  4318  of  2012  titled  Priya Gupta v. State of Chhatisgarh & Ors., the Court not only noticed  breach  of time schedule as well as various other irregularities  that  were committed by the various stakeholders, but also returned a finding as to failure of the performance of duties and obligations by the authorities  in  accordance with law as stated by this Court. The Court noticed that the case in  hand was a clear example of calculated  tampering  with  the  schedule  specified under the regulations, and  the  judgments  of  the  Court  with  a  clear intention to grant admission to less meritorious candidates over  candidates of higher merit. To put it simply, it was a case of favouritism and arbitrariness. The case in hand also demonstrates how either way the career of the students of higher merit has been jeopardised by the abuse and manipulation of provided procedure. [Para 1]
While directing initiation of proceedings under the provisions of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 (for short “the Act”) held as under:
        4.  “We have categorically returned a finding that all the relevant stakeholders have failed to perform their duty/obligation in accordance with law. Where the time  schedules  have  not  been   complied with, and  rule  of  merit  has  been defeated,  there  nepotism and manipulation have prevailed.  The stands of various authorities are at variance with each other and none admits to fault. Thus, it is imperative for this Court to ensure proper implementation of judgments of this Court and the regulations of the Medical Council of India as well  as  not  to  overlook  the  arbitrary and colourable exercise  of  power  by  the  concerned  authorities/colleges.
        5. Therefore, we hereby direct initiation of proceedings against the following under the provisions of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971. Let notice be issued to the following, to show cause why they be not punished in accordance with law.
A.      Additional Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Union of India.
B.      Dr. S.L. Adile, Director, Medical Education.
C.      Dean of the Jagdalpur College.
D.      Dr. M.S. Banjan, Member of the Selection Committee.
E.       Dr. P.D. Agarwal, Member of the Selection Committee.
F.       Shri Padmakar Sasane, Member of the Selection Committee.
G.     Director General, Directorate of Health Services, Union of India.
        5.  Notice be issued returnable in  two  weeks,  on  which  day  the matter shall be  listed  before  this  Court.  Registry shall maintain separate file for that purpose.
        6.  All concerned authorities are hereby directed to carry out the directions and orders contained in this judgment, particularly paragraphs 30 and 31 of the judgment forthwith. The directions   shall be applicable for the academic year 2012-2013 itself.

A  copy  of  this  judgment  shall  be  sent  to  all  concerned authorities, forthwith, for strict compliance and  adherence,  without demur and default. [Para 54]
In furtherance to the judgment dated 8th May,  2012,  the  Supreme Court initiated proceedings against the above defaulting persons under the Act and directed issuance of notice. Upon appearance, time was prayed for on behalf of the contemnors to file their reply affidavits and after they were filed, the contemnors were heard at some length by the Court. The stand taken by the respective contemnors is distinct and independent. However, the stand of contemnors “C” to “F” is somewhat common, therefore, it would be appropriate for the Court to deal with the case of these contemnors together. The case of contemnors ‘A’ and ‘G’ is to be considered together and finally that of contemnor ‘B’ will be dealt with separately.  [Para 2]
First and foremost, we would deal with the case of Dr. S.L.  Adile, whose daughter Akansha Adile is the direct beneficiary of this entire process. In the affidavit filed by Dr. Adile, it has been averred that he was working as a Professor of Ophthalmology in the Medical College, Raipur till 1st August, 2006 and Dean thereafter in the same college. The Director of Medical Education, Chhatisgarh (Dr. Bhola) retired on 31st August, 2006 and being the senior, Dr. Adile was asked to relieve Dr.Bhola, on 8th September, 2006 temporarily. 
This is how he came to be appointed as the Director of Medical Education. The findings recorded in the order  against  him  which includes violation of schedule, moulding the process of selection to  select his daughter and actually providing her  a  seat  in  the  Medical  College, Raipur has not been disputed.   However, it is stated  that  he  tenders  an unconditional apology to  the  Court  for all  the  acts  of  omission  and commission mentioned in the order dated 8th May, 2012.   He prays for the mercy of the Court on the ground that he was under suspension for last two years i.e. since 23rd July, 2010 and has suffered already. His  daughter was also asked to pay Rs. 5 lakhs, if she was  to  continue  her  course  in terms of the order  dated  8th  May,  2012,  and  therefore,  he  prays  for discharge. [Para 3]
Without prejudice to the above and in the alternative, the contention raised is that every contempt, whether initiated on application of a party or suo motu by the Court, has to be a result of wilful disobedience of the orders of the Court.  Wilful disobedience must be proved as a matter of fact.  The directions  or  guidelines  issued  by  this  Court  for  general implementation cannot invite proceedings under the  Act,  if  they  are  not strictly adhered to.  Such guidelines may not be within the knowledge of a party and, thus, their  non-compliance  may  not  necessarily  be  a  wilful disobedience of the order of the Court bringing  the  case  of  a  contemnor within the rigours of Section 12 of the Act.  Contempt proceedings can be initiated when an action is between the parties to a lis and not where the Court issues general directions. [Para 4]
Tendering an apology is not a satisfactory way of resolving contempt proceedings. An apology tendered at  the  very  initial  stage of  the proceedings being bona fide and preferably  unconditional  would  normally persuade the Court to accept such  apology,  if  this  would  not  leave  a serious scar on the dignity/authority of the Court and  interfere  with  the administration of justice under the orders of the Court. [Para 5]
SC Observations against the conduct of DGME:
In light of the above principles, if one examines the conduct of  Dr.S.L. Adile, he is a person who cannot plead ignorance to the directions  of this Court inasmuch as he was the officiating Director and  responsible  for making admissions not only to the  college  in  question,  but  to  all  the medical colleges in the State of Chhattisgarh. It was expected of him to conduct the admissions strictly on merit, transparently and in adherence to the schedule and directions contained in the judgments of  this  Court.
He attempted to violate the same with impunity. He manipulated the entire process of admission and directed his subordinates to manage admissions of appellants, including his daughter, and on the other hand misguided the Ministry of Health, Government of India.   There was flagrant violation of the orders of the Court which has proved prejudicial not only to the system of admission, but even to the deserving students who in the order of merit were entitled to get those seats. No advertisement was effected. There is nothing on record to show that any other candidate had been informed of the date of admission.  At the eleventh hour on 30th September, 2006, the last date for admission, very cleverly admission of the two appellants was managed by him. [Para 12]
As already noticed, the violations are admitted on the part of this contemnor.  The tendering of apology by him, though at the initial stage of the hearings, cannot be accepted by the Court inasmuch as violation  of  the orders  of  the  Court  is  wilful,  intentional,  and  prejudicial. Such conduct, not only has the adverse effect on the process of admissions and disturbs the faith of people in the administration of justice, but also lowers the dignity of the Court by unambiguously conveying that orders of this Court, its directions and prescribed procedure can be manipulated  or circumvented so as to frustrate  the  very object of such orders  and directions, thereby undermining the dignity of  the  Court. Administration of justice is a matter which cannot be ignored by  the  Court  and  the acceptance  of  apology  tendered  by  the   contemnor   would   amount   to establishing a principle that such serious violations would not  entail  any consequences  in  law.  This  would,  thus  encourage  repetition of such offences, rather than discouraging  or  preventing  others  from  committing offences of similar nature as it  would  have  no  preventive  or  deterrent effect on persons for committing such offences in future. Thus, it is not a case where the Court should extend mercy of discharging the accused by acceptance of apology, as it would amount to encouraging similar behaviour. [Para 13]
The contemnor, Dr. Adile, while heavily relying  upon  the  factum  of his having been placed under suspension by  the  disciplinary  authority  as well as the direction to his daughter to pay Rs.5 lacs for  continuing  with the medical course to which she was admitted,  has  argued  that  the  Court should take a lenient view and accept the apology.  We are of the view that such a contention cannot be of much advantage to the contemnor. These are not the relevant factors for acceptance of an apology,   however, they may be of some consideration while imposing the punishment. [Para 14]
Now, we shall proceed to discuss the legal issues raised on behalf of the contemnor that in such cases, the proceedings under the Act cannot be taken recourse to. [Para 15]
It is true that Section 12 of the Act contemplates disobedience of the orders of the Court to be wilful and further that such violation has to be of a specific order or direction of the Court. To  contend that there cannot be an initiation of contempt proceedings where directions are of a general nature as it would not only be impracticable,  but  even  impossible to regulate such orders of the Court, is an argument which does not  impress the Court. As already noticed, the Constitution has placed upon the judiciary, the responsibility to interpret the law and ensure proper administration of justice. In carrying out these constitutional functions, the Courts have to ensure that dignity of the Court, process of Court and respect for administration of justice is maintained.  Violations  which  are likely to impinge upon the faith of the public in administration of  justice and the Court system  must  be  punished,  to  prevent  repetition  of  such behaviour and the adverse impact on public faith. With  the  development  of law, the  Courts  have  issued  directions  and  even  spelt  out  in  their judgments, certain  guidelines,  which  are  to  be  operative  till  proper legislations are enacted. The directions of the Court which are to provide transparency in action and adherence to basic law and fair play must be enforced and obeyed by all concerned. The  law  declared  by  this  Court whether in the form of a substantive  judgment  inter  se  a  party  or  are directions  of  a  general  nature  which  are  intended  to   achieve   the constitutional goals of equality and equal opportunity must  be  adhered  to and there cannot be an artificial distinction drawn in  between  such  class of cases.  Whichever class they may belong to, a contemnor cannot build an argument to the effect that the disobedience is of a general direction and not of a specific order issued inter se parties. Such distinction, if permitted, shall be opposed to the basic rule of law. [Para 16]
The directions which have been issued in the cases referred to in  the main judgment clearly provide for admission to medical courses in  order  of merit, for the process of admission to be transparent  and  fair,  and  that there must be strict  adherence  to  the  time  schedule  specified  in  the judgments. The purpose  of  this  is  to  ensure  that  arbitrariness  and discrimination do not creep into this  process,  and  equal  opportunity  is ensured to the eligible candidates applying to  the  medical  courses  in  a just and fair manner. [Para 17]
These directions are intended to serve a greater  public  purpose  and are expected to be within the knowledge of  all  concerned  persons  besides the fact that the law declared by this Court is deemed to be  known  to  all concerned. The violation of general directions issued by this Court would attract the rigours of the provisions of the Act. Whether for such violation or non-compliance, the Court would punish a person or persons, would always depend upon the facts and circumstances of a given case. It is not possible to provide any straight jacket formula that is universally applicable to all cases.  All that  we  have  to  examine  is  whether  the apology tendered is bona fide, when  examined  in  light  of  the  attendant circumstances and that it will be in the interest of justice to  accept  the same. [Para 18]
As already noticed, contempt  proceedings  are  intended  to  ensure compliance of the orders of the Court and adherence  to  the  rule  of  law. The directions are binding and must be obeyed by the parties and all concerned stricto sensu.  In fact, the directions of the present kind  are to be placed at a higher pedestal as compared to cases where the  matter  is inter se between two parties to the list [lis] as they are intended  to  attain  a greater purpose and ensure adherence to rule of law in a particular  process which otherwise would be arbitrary and violative of constitutional  mandate. [Para 23]
 In the case of Asha Sharma v. Pt B.D. Sharma University of Health Sciences [(2012) 7 SCC 389], this Court held as under:
           “25. Strict adherence to the time schedule has again been a matter of controversy before the courts. The courts have consistently taken the view that the schedule is sacrosanct like the rule of merit and all  the  stakeholders including  the authorities concerned should adhere  to  it  and  should  in  no circumstances permit its violation. This, in our opinion, gives rise to dual problem. Firstly, it jeopardises the interest and future of the students. Secondly, which is more serious, is that such action would be ex facie in violation of the orders of the court, and therefore, would invite wrath of the courts under the provisions of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971. In this regard, SC appropriately refer to the previous SC judgments [R] [Priya Gupta, State of Bihar vs. Sanjay Kumar  Sinha, Medical Council of India vs. Madhu Singh,  GSF ]  Medical  and  Paramedical Assn. vs.  Assn.  of Self  Financing  Technical  Institutes and Christian Medical College v. State of Punjab.]
Law made by the SC:
           26. The judgments of this Court constitute the law of the land in terms of Article 141 of the Constitution and the regulations framed by the Medical Council of India are statutorily  having  the force of law and are binding on all the  parties  concerned.
           Various aspects of the admission process as of now  are  covered either by the  respective  notifications  issued  by  the  State  Governments, prospectus issued by the colleges and, in any case, by the regulations framed by the Medical Council of India. There is no reason why every act of the authorities be not done as per the procedure prescribed under the Rules and why due records thereof be not maintained. This proposition of law or this issue is no more res integra and has been firmly stated by this Court in its various judgments which may usefully be referred at this stage. (Ref.: State of M.P.  vs.  Gopal D. Tirthani, State of Punjab vs.  Dayanand Medical College &   Hospital,   Bharati Vidyapeeth v. State of Maharashtra, Chowdhury Navin Hemabhai  vs. State of Gujarat and Harish Verma vs. Ajay Srivastava.)” [Para 26]
In view of the above established principle, we have no hesitation in rejecting even the other contention raised on behalf of the contemnor. Having dealt with both the contentions raised on behalf of the contemnor, we conclude that the contemnor, Dr. S.L. Adile, has wilfully violated the directions of this Court and has manipulated the process of selection laid down by this Court so as to gain personal advantage  for  admission  of  his daughter and the other appellant thereby causing serious prejudice to  other candidates of higher merit. Having held him guilty of the offence of civil contempt in terms of Section 12 of the Act, we refrain from awarding him civil imprisonment for the reasons aforenoticed and award him a penalty  of Rs.2000/- as fine.
Contemnors (C) to (F):  Contempt against DGME, Dean, Associate and Assistant Professor, Demonstrators [six faculty members of the Selection Committee]
·         Ms.Amrita Banerjee Mitra, former Assistant Prof. Physiology, Medical College Jagdalpur.  Chhattisgarh;
·         Dr.Sanjivani Wanjari, former Associate Prof. Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical  College Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh;
·         Dr. P.D. Agrawal, former Associate Prof.  Radiology Medical College, Jagdalalpur, Chhattisgarh and
·         Mr. Padmakar Sasane, former Demonstrator Biophysics in the Department  of  Physiology,  Medical  College Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh [Para 24]
Who will be punished?
The stand taken by these contemnors in their reply affidavit is that Ms.Amrita Banerjee had taken over as acting Dean on 1st November, 2006 and she had acted in furtherance to the letters issued by the Director. While Dr.Sanjivani Wanjari, Dr.P.D. Agrawal and Mr.Padmakar Sasane have stated that they were members of the Selection Committee which had recommended admission of the two appellants, they also have taken up the stand that they had acted as per the directions of the Dean. It is further pointed out that the Dean had constituted the Committee and required it so as to make recommendations for admission. On behalf of Ms.Banerjee, it  is stated that she  had  received a  letter  from  the  Director  of  Medical Education Office on 30th September, 2006 that the  seats  should  be  filled according to merit upon establishing contact with the candidates. On 30th September, 2006 itself, she had constituted the Committee consisting of the other three contemnors and, in fact,  the  Committee  conducted  its  entire proceeding and recommended the names of  the  two candidates, i.e. Kumari Priya Gupta and Kumari Akanksha Adile and they were granted  admission  on that very day i.e. on 30th September, 2006. The same was intimated to the Director of Medical Education Office vide a letter of the same date. All these contemnors have relied upon a judgment of this Court in the case of D.P. Gupta v. Parsuram Tiwari [(2004) 13 SCC 746] to contend that if a person acts upon the directions of his superior, he is not liable to be punished for contempt.   In the alternative, they have also tendered unconditional apology before this Court. [Para 25]
Firstly, we must deal with the case of D.P. Gupta (supra). In that case, the High Court had punished the Vice-Chancellor for over-reaching the judgment of the High Court by exercising his power to condone the break in service for promotion to the post of Head of Department. The High Court also punished the Registrar of the University who was stated to have advised the Vice-Chancellor to act accordingly.
The Supreme Court, while upholding the conviction of the Vice-Chancellor of the University noticed that the person concerned was not the acting Registrar who had advised the Vice-Chancellor but had merely carried out the order of the Vice-Chancellor by issuing the notification, which he   was bound to carry out.
Accordingly, the prayer of the appellant was allowed by this Court.  It is obvious that the contemnor in that case had not done any act or advised the Vice-Chancellor on any count whatsoever. The Vice-Chancellor had issued an order condoning the break in service and required the Registrar to issue notification in furtherance thereto. In these circumstances, the Supreme Court found that he was not guilty of violating the order of the Court as he had merely issued notification as directed.   Certainly, this case on facts has no application to the case in hand. [Para 26]
Dean was held responsible:
The Dean of the College was expected to act in accordance with law. She not only abdicated her responsibilities and obligations in conducting a fair and transparent admission to the two remaining seats but, in fact, colluded with Dr.Adile, Director of the Health Services in ensuring manipulation of the process leading to admission of his daughter and deprived more meritorious students of those seats. In her entire affidavit or in the letter, she has not averred that any other candidate was informed or contacted on telephone in the entire State, which means that all other meritorious and eligible candidates were not even informed of availability of the two seats.  It was her responsibility to ensure that  the  vacancy  of  such  seats  be  duly intimated to the eligible candidates, which was  not  done,  primarily  with the intention to favour the two appellants who have been given admission  in a most arbitrary manner.  It is not even disputed before the Court that candidates, who were much higher in the order of merit than the two to whom seats were awarded, have not got admission to the medical course. It is also surprising that within the  working  hours  of  the  office on  30th September,  2006,  the  entire  commotion  of  awarding  seats  to  the  two candidates  was  completed. The scrutinizing of the applications and documentation, the holding of the interview and even deposit of fees by the appellants was completed on that very day.  All this could not have happened but for complete collusion between the Director, the Dean and the Selection Committee.  It is also not clear as to why the vacancy position was informed by the Dean to the Director on 30th September, 2006 though the second counseling had been held between 22nd and 23rd August, 2006.  It was expected of her to inform the vacancy position well in time. Intentionally withholding of this information does not speak well of the functioning of the Committee. [Para 26]
The members of the Selection Committee were to  discharge  the very onerous duty of ensuring that all the eligible candidates had been informed of the vacancy position and they were also  expected  to  scrutinise  the certificates of eligible candidates  and  recommend  admission  strictly  in order of merit.  They have not even averred in their affidavit that vacancy position was in the knowledge to the eligible persons. It is not only improbable but impossible to believe that in the entire State and even from the same town, no candidate  would  have  come  to  take  admission  to  the medical courses, had they been  intimated  of  the vacancy position. [Para 27]
Selection Committee’s Failure to discharge its duties:
 The Committee has not only failed to discharge its onerous duty but has even kept all principles of fair selection aside and ensured selection of the daughter of the Director. In contradistinction to D.P. Gupta’s case (supra), none of these persons were obliged to carry out the directions of the Director to give admission to these two candidates.  In fact, there was no such direction. These persons were not subordinate to the Director or even the Dean while performing the duties for filling up the two  vacancies as members of the Selection Committee. They cannot take shelter of bona fide exercise of power in obeying orders of the superior.
In addition to this and for the reasons recorded in the earlier  part of the judgment, we have no  hesitation  in  holding  that  all  these  four persons have also violated the orders of the  Court  and  have  circumvented the process of selection and defeated the  very  object  of  the  directions issued by this Court.  They have lowered the dignity and authority of the Court and, thus, are liable to be punished for violating the orders of this Court.  Consequently, they are also punished and directed to pay a fine of Rs.2000/- and copy of this order shall be placed on their personal file. [Para 28]
Now, we will deal with the case of Mr.Keshav Desiraju, Special Secretary in the Ministry of  Health  and  Family  Welfare  and  of  Jagdish Prasad, Director General, Health Services, Ministry  of  Health  and  Family Welfare, Government of  India.   Mr. Keshav  Desiraju  has  stated  in  his affidavit that he has been very serious in  maintaining  the  time  Schedule for  giving  permission  to  new  medical  colleges  taking  admissions  for MBBS/BDS courses under Section 10(a) of the Medical Council  of  India  Act, 1956 by 15th July of every year.  The permission was stated to be granted to the said college on 15th July, 2006 for the academic year 2006-2007. [Para 29]
It is further stated that the State of Chhattisgarh has contributed only three seats of MBBS at JLN Medical College, Raipur, Chhattisgarh and no seat was contributed in the Government Medical College NMDS Jagdalpur towards Central Pool quota. Thus, the question of allotting of seat from the central pool quota did not arise. He further affirms that they  shall strictly adhere to the schedule term provided  under  the  judgment  of  the Court. [Para 29]
Dr.Jagdish Prasad  in  his  affidavit  has  also  stated  that  the Government Medical College, Jagdalpur was given approval on 15th July,  2006 as per Rules for the academic year 2006-07.  Admission to 15% quota was completed by 8th August, 2006 and the unfilled seats were returned to the respective State Governments. According to this Affidavit, Kumari Akanksha and Kumari Priya Gupta did not belong to All India quota. The  Jagdalpur college was granted permission  for  starting  the  academic  procedure  for academic year 2006-07 by the Government  of  Chhattisgarh  on  14th  August, 2006.  The fake admission of the two candidates came  to  be  known  to  the Department when an application under the Right to Information Act was filed by one Dr.Anil Khakharia in September,  2009  upon  which  the  action  was taken.  The letter dated 8th August, 2006 issued by the Director General’s office was fake. The admission was cancelled vide letter dated19th September, 2010. It is further averred that the Directorate strictly adheres to the schedule provided. I t is also stated that no deviation has been made from the prescribed procedure, time schedule approved by the Supreme Court. [Para 30]
From these two affidavits,  it  is  in  fact  clear  that  both  these contemnors  are  not  directly  responsible  for  violating  any  order   or direction of the Court.  However, they are expected to exercise proper control and supervision over grant of recommendation, permission to give admission in the colleges and the admission process. The Director General of Health  Services,  Union  of  India  is  responsible   for   maintaining transparency in the process of  admission  to  the  medical  colleges. Two things are clear that they ought to have checked that the  State  could  not have permitted the college to grant admission to the students  on  or  after August 14, 2006 as 15th of July,  2006  was  the  last  date  for  grant  of recognition and permission to run the medical college.  Secondly,  when  the complaint was  received,  the  Ministry  as  well  as  the  Directorate  was expected  to  act  with  greater  expeditiousness  and  ought  not  to  have permitted  the  wrongly  granted  admissions  to  continue. In fact, the Government or the Directorate both took no action against the institute, even till date. There  is  apparent  lack  of  proper  supervision and enforcement of the directions issued by this Court  on  the  part  of  these contemnors. [Para 31]
32. Having considered the entire spectrum of the matter, we are of the considered view that the ends of justice would be met by issuing a warning to both these contemnors and not to punish them with fine or imprisonment.
They should be more careful in discharge of their functions and duties in accordance with the judgment of this Court and we  further  direct  them  to ensure circulation of this  judgment  as  well  as  the  judgment  of  Priya Gupta’s case to  all  the  Directors,  Health  Services  of  the  respective States, Deans of  the  Universities  holding  the  selection/examination or admission process for MBBS/BDS courses as well as to the  Dean  of  all  the colleges.
The fine should be deposited within four weeks from today. In the event of default, they shall be liable to undergo civil imprisonment for a period of two weeks. The notice of contempt against them is discharged, however, subject to the observations aforemade.
 SC observed that “From these two affidavits,  it  is  in  fact  clear  that  both  these contemnors  are  not directly responsible for violating  any  order  or direction of the Court.  However, they are expected to exercise proper control and supervision over grant of recommendation, permission to give admission in the colleges and the admission process. The Director General of Health  Services,  Union  of  India  is  responsible   for   maintaining transparency in the process of  admission  to  the  medical  colleges. Two things are clear that they ought to have checked that the  State  could  not have permitted the college to grant admission to the students  on  or  after August 14, 2006 as 15th of July,  2006  was  the  last  date  for  grant  of recognition and permission to run the medical college.  Secondly,  when  the complaint was  received,  the  Ministry  as  well  as  the  Directorate  was expected  to  act  with  greater  expeditiousness  and  ought  not  to  have permitted  the  wrongly  granted  admissions  to  continue. In fact, the Government or the Directorate both took no action against the institute, even  till  date. There  is  apparent  lack  of  proper  supervision   and enforcement of the directions issued by this Court  on  the  part  of  these contemnors.” [Para 31]
SC further directed that “Having considered the entire spectrum of the matter, we are of the considered view that the ends of justice would be met by issuing a warning to both these contemnors and not to punish them with fine or imprisonment. They should be more careful in discharge of their functions and duties in accordance with the judgment of this Court and we  further  direct  them  to ensure circulation of this  judgment  as  well  as  the  judgment  of  Priya Gupta’s case to  all  the  Directors,  Health  Services  of  the  respective States, Deans of  the  Universities  holding  the  selection/examination  or admission process for MBBS/BDS courses as well as to the  Dean  of  all  the colleges. [Para 32]
Four Doctors Punished by SC:
In result of the above discussion, contemnor Dr.S.L.  Adile, Amrita Banerjee, Dr.Sanjivani Wanjari, Dr.P.D. Agrawal and  Mr.  Padmakar Sasane are hereby punished and awarded the sentence of fine of  Rs.2,000/-  each.
The fine should be deposited within four weeks from today. In the event of default, they shall be liable to undergo civil imprisonment for a period of two weeks. The notice of contempt against them is discharged, however, subject to the observations aforemade. [Para 33]
[Source: Swatanter Kumar, J. A.K. Patnaik, J.  Priya Gupta & Anr. vs. Addl. Secy. Ministry of Health &  Family Welfare & Ors., Suo Motu Contempt Petition Nos. 195-196 of 2012 in Civil Appeal Nos. 4318 and 4319 of 2012, DECIDED ON December 13, 2012]
References
1.       Asha Sharma v. Pt B.D. Sharma University of Health Sciences [(2012) 7 SCC 389]
2.       Priya Gupta, State of Bihar vs. Sanjay Kumar  Sinha,
3.       Medical Council of India vs. Madhu Singh, 
4.       GSF  Medical  and  Paramedical Assn. vs.  Assn.  of Self  Financing  Technical  Institutes
5.       Christian Medical College v. State of Punjab.
6.       State of M.P.  vs.  Gopal D. Tirthani,
7.       State of Punjab vs.  Dayanand Medical College &  Hospital,  
8.       Bharati Vidyapeeth v. State of Maharashtra,
9.       Chowdhury Navin Hemabhai  vs. State of Gujarat  
10.   Harish Verma vs. Ajay Srivastava
11.   D.P. Gupta v. Parsuram Tiwari [(2004) 13 SCC 746]
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