Rajasthan HC Stays Penalty On Dental College For Irregular Admissions, Orders Deposit Of ₹5 Lakh Per Student As Interim Relief - 2025-09-03

Rajasthan HC Stays Fine on Dental College for Irregular Admissions, Imposes Conditional Deposit of ₹5 Lakh Per Student

JODHPUR: In a significant interim order, the Rajasthan High Court has stayed a penalty imposed on Vyas Dental College and Hospital for irregular student admissions. However, the relief comes with a stringent condition: the college must deposit ₹5,00,000 for each student in question with the Rajasthan University of Health Sciences (RUHS).

The Division Bench, comprising Justice Munnuri Laxman and Justice Bipin Gupta , was hearing a special appeal filed by the college against a single-judge order that had simultaneously regularized the admissions of the irregularly admitted students and initiated penalty proceedings.

Background of the Dispute

The case, Vyas Dental College And Hospital vs Rajasthan University Of Health Sciences , revolves around admissions made by the appellant college that allegedly violated established procedures. A single judge of the High Court had previously passed an order regularizing these admissions while also penalizing the college for the procedural lapses. The college challenged this order, bringing the matter before the Division Bench.

Arguments in Court

Appellant's Contention: No Double Penalty Senior Counsel Dr. Sachin Acharya, representing Vyas Dental College, argued that the single judge's order effectively imposed a "double fine for the same violation." The core of his argument was that the college could not be penalized twice—once by regularizing the admissions (which has its own consequences) and again through a separate monetary fine.

Respondents' Counter: Flagrant Violation of Procedure Counsel for the respondents, Rajasthan University of Health Sciences (RUHS) and the Dental Council of India (DCI), vehemently opposed the appeal. They contended that the penalty was justified due to the "flagrant violation" of admission procedures by the college. They also highlighted a "serious lapse" in the college's conduct, noting its failure to inform the wrongly admitted students about a discharge order issued by the DCI.

The respondents' counsel drew a parallel to similar cases where courts awarded compensation to students whose admissions were made contrary to procedure but did not regularize them. They suggested that if any interim relief were to be granted, it should be conditional upon the deposit of the entire fine amount.

Court's Interim Order and Reasoning

After considering the arguments from both sides, the Division Bench found that the appeal required admission for a full hearing. The court took particular note of the fact that the impugned order not only imposed a fine but also included a default condition of debarment if the fine was not paid.

In its interim order, the bench stated:

"In the opinion of this Court, we are inclined to stay the operation of the impugned order so far as the payment of fine as ordered by the learned Single Judge against appellant, subject to the appellant depositing Rs.5,00,000/- for each student."

The court directed the college to deposit the calculated amount with RUHS within four weeks. The university is mandated to keep the funds in a Fixed Deposit Receipt (FDR) until the appeal is finally decided.

Implications of the Order

The High Court's order provides temporary relief to the college from the immediate payment of the fine and the threat of debarment. By depositing the specified amount, the college will also be permitted to participate in future counselling processes without hindrance from the single judge's order. The final decision on the legality of the penalty will be made when the appeal is heard on its merits.

The matter is scheduled for its next hearing on October 29, 2025.