Summary: Three law students from Mahatma Gandhi Law College in Telangana won a court case against their college, which was withholding their original certificates due to unpaid government fee reimbursements. The court ordered the college to release the documents without demanding fees.
Three students, Duddu Nava Anil Kiran, Chippa Sneha, and Mathangi Vamshi, from Mahatma Gandhi Law College in Telangana, found themselves in a tough spot. They finished their law courses but couldn't get their original certificates. The college said they wouldn't give them the certificates because the government hadn't paid the fee reimbursements.
When Duddu Nava Anil Kiran, Chippa Sneha, and Mathangi Vamshi asked for their certificates, the college management demanded Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 50,000 from each student. Despite their repeated requests, the college wouldn't change their mind unless they paid up. Frustrated, Duddu Nava Anil Kiran, Chippa Sneha, and Mathangi Vamshi decided to take the matter to court.
The court, led by Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Surepalli Nanda, looked at several past decisions. For example, a 2020 decision clearly stated that holding back certificates is not allowed. The court stressed that schools and colleges cannot keep students' documents because of money issues.
"The right of students to obtain their certificates cannot be denied merely because the tuition fee is due."
The court pointed out a letter from the Telangana Council of Higher Education. It instructed colleges not to hold back certificates for students eligible for fee reimbursement. Similarly, UGC guidelines say schools and colleges can't keep original documents.
Justice Surepalli Nanda decided in favor of Duddu Nava Anil Kiran, Chippa Sneha, and Mathangi Vamshi. The college was ordered to return the original certificates, including SSC, Intermediate, and LLB marks memos, within a week. The court made it clear that the college's actions were not fair and that they should find legal ways to get back any money owed.
