Summary: Dr. R. Prabha challenged a bond condition requiring her to work until retirement or pay a large amount of money. The court changed the bond amount but agreed that the bond was still valid.
Dr. R. Prabha filed a complaint against the Tamil Nadu Government's bond conditions for medical students. She was required to work until retirement or pay Rs. 40,00,000. She argued this was unfair and wanted the conditions removed.
Dr. Prabha finished her undergraduate degree and passed the NEET PG exam. She was chosen for a postgraduate course in Obstetrics and Gynaecology as a service candidate. The bond required her to work until retirement or pay a penalty. She signed it but later couldn't continue due to personal reasons.
After she couldn't continue her service, Dr. Prabha was asked to pay Rs. 1,61,55,261, including extra interest. She argued that the amount was extremely high and not justified.
"The bond condition requiring the petitioner to work until her retirement is clearly illegal and unfair."
Judge G.K. Ilanthiraiyan looked at the case. The court decided that the interest should only be calculated up to the date of the demand, not until retirement. The court ordered Dr. Prabha to pay Rs. 40,00,000 within four weeks or face additional interest charges.
Dr. Prabha's lawyer mentioned earlier Supreme Court decisions that bond conditions should be fair. The court noted these but pointed out that Dr. Prabha willingly signed the bond.
The court partly agreed with Dr. Prabha by changing the payment terms but confirmed the bond was still valid. The demand for Rs. 1,61,55,261 was reduced to Rs. 40,00,000, which she must pay within a set time.
This case shows how complicated bond conditions can be in medical education and the need to balance service obligations with personal rights.